Circus, Sideshow & Oddities
Sat, Apr 30, 2022 12:00PM EDT
Lot 101
BRISTER, Eva. Cabinet photo of Princess Sotanki, Snake Danc...
Estimate: $300 - $500
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.: Frank Wendt, ca. 1900s. Portrait photograph of the lion tamer and snake charmer, a large snake draped over her body, chair, and at her feet. 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 in the United States, but was more popularly known for her snake dance, the ?Hindu Dance of Death.?
