They Were Called Kings

Shan Goshorn
2013
7” x 8.5” x 13.5” each basket (set of three)
Arches watercolor paper, archival ink, acrylic paint, gold foil

In 1762, three Cherokee Warriors journeyed to England in the company of British lieutenant and diarist, Henry Timberlake, to meet King George III. Even though the Cherokee men spoke only their native language, the delivery of their orations and their exotic appearances made a fascinating impression on British society, who became convinced that their guests were foreign royalty. Newspapers and magazines of the time wrote daily about their activities, their style of dress and even a rather bawdy song was composed about the effect these unusual visitors had on English women. The interiors of these baskets are woven with reproductions of these written historical accounts along with the King’s Royal Coat of Arms. The baskets are woven in the Cherokee single-weave style in a pattern called Water/Mountains; the design was chosen to illustrate how these warriors traveled from their mountain homeland across the great ocean.

They Were Called Kings feature photographs of three contemporary members of the Warriors of the Anikituhwa, wearing their own 18th century style clothing. Traditionally, men in this position would serve as the first line of defense for the Cherokee people; currently, they serve in the role of ambassadors representing the Eastern Band of Cherokee and are role models within the community.