Circus, Sideshow & Oddities
Sat, Jun 26, 2021 12:00PM EDT
Lot 8
BRISTER, Eva. Cabinet Photo of Princess Sotanki, Snake Danc...
Estimate: $500 - $750
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $5 |
| $30 | $10 |
| $100 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $200 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
BRISTER, Eva. Cabinet Photo of Princess Sotanki, Snake Dancer. Boonton, N.J.: Wendt, 1900s. Fine full-length portrait of the lion tamer and snake charmer. One snake is coiled around her torso, and she holds another above her head. On studio mount. 6 ? x 4 1/8?. Brister toured with the John Robinson Circus, Pawnee Bill Wild West, and on the vaudeville circuit as a snake dancer, lion tamer, and magician. Born near Cincinnati on the Kentucky side, she was African American, but performed with her husband, Armmah Sotanki (Walter Brister) and other troupe members as exotic ?Hindoo fakirs.? Brister is believed to have been the first Black lion tamer, but was more popularly known for her snake dance, the ?Hindu Dance of Death.?
