Exploring the Art of Indigenous Culture
Central American Artifacts
Caudle Cup by John Coney, a London-trained goldsmith (Around 1690)
The cup was designed by the 17th century Goldsmith known as John Coney. It is a gourd shaped cup with two embellished beaded handles and there is a picture of a small child appears from the flower. The motif is the European floral imagery. The cup was probably designed for the marriage ceremony of John and Mary in around 1689. The Caudle cups were famous in England during second half of the 17th century in England. It was typically made of silver metal.
Tankard made by Henry Hurst. Period: in the late 17th century or early 18th century. Current location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
Tankard is a cylindrical drinking cup which has a single handle. The special characteristic of this Tankard is its plain body with extremely decorated handle and the lid. It is decorated with the Swedish style embossed fruit and foliage. Hence the handle looks gorgeous on the plain body of the tankard. It was a unique design in those days in America. It was really a very unique style.
Sub-Saharan Art
Double Figure, made by Kuyu people, the idol is made by wood pigment. Period of Making late 19th and early 20th century. National Museum of African Art
The wooden figure is a couple standing opposite directions of each other the backs of the man and woman is fixed together and there is a feline rested on their head. Kuyu people regard that the animal is a mythic ancestor. The face of the animal is towards the man’s side and his tail hangs down on the female face. While looking at the figure I strongly felt that there is a gender discrimination found in the idol. The man and the woman in this idol share common feet and legs and they are towards the direction of the male. It probably means the woman scarification everywhere in her life.
Type of Material: Wood
Approximate period of making: Late 19th and early 20th century from National Museum of African Art
It is a female figure (pfemba, nkisi) The above wooden idol is a woman carrying her baby in her arms. When observed the art, it is obvious that this is the symbol of fertility and motherhood. This is the typical representation of the powerful woman who can be a strong mother of the clan. Her motherhood is glorified and celebrated in the idol. The status of a woman as a mother means proud to the woman. It is a symbol of pride and this pride is reflected through her confident pose and the upward position of her head. She is the symbol of beauty, just because she is the mother and nature has bestowed the precious gift to her and that is the child.
North American Art
Da Axigang, Charles Edenshaw, Haida 1900 Bear Mother Carving
Bear Mother is a different sculpture which is carved in red argillite. It is the illustration of one of the Charles’s favourite stories, The Bear mother and her two cubs. The uniqueness of this sculpture lies in its red argillite. One more peculiar thing about the sculpture is that the mother Bear is shown holding two cubs among which one has human figure and another is the animal figure. The expressions of the Bear mother are so vivid and they are clearly expressing her care for her children.
Tlinigit Basketry Hat(1820). The National Museum of the American Indian, New York
The basket hat is basketry ornaments and it was there in Alaska even before the European arrived Alaska. It is fine example of weaving skill, embroidery stitches, colors and shades.
South American Art
Kero from Quechua culture, Material – Wooden pigment. Period – Late 17th century
This is the idol of the man from the community that dwells in the forest at the eastern slope of Andes. This ethnic group is also called as Chunchos. The idol contains the wrap around neck. It is a beautiful carving in the wooden where every feature is minutely shaped.
Monstrance, Maker- Diego de Atienzia Year 1646.
The artifact belongs to the culture of Lima (Peru). It is made with silver gilt with enamel, cast, chased and engraved. The Monstrance was made for Pedro de Urraca. The artifact is a decorative piece with delicate carving. It is very royal and rich in its appearance.
Pacific Native Artifact
The Pacific Native Art is based on the shape of various animals. It is basically an animal art with various shapes such as ovoid shapes, U shape, split U shape, S shape. There is no particular artist but it is a genre.
The native people from this region prominently used animals and their art is highly influenced by the animals and birds
References
American Decorative Arts and Sculpture Highlights. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Retrieved 30 April 2016, from http://www.mfa.org/node/9475
Da.axiigang, Bear Mother carving - Infinity of Nations: Art and History in the Collections of the National Museum of the American Indian - George Gustav Heye Center, New York. Nmai.si.edu. Retrieved 30 April 2016, from http://nmai.si.edu/exhibitions/infinityofnations/northwest-coast/196253.html
Kero | 1994.35.26 | Work of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Met’s Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. Retrieved 30 April 2016, from http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1994.35.26/
northwest indian art prints | ARTUKS.COM. Artuks.com. Retrieved 30 April 2016, from http://artuks.com/2012/10/northwest-indian-art-prints/
Retrieved 30 April 2016, from https://africa.si.edu/collections/view/objects/asitem/search@swg/1/title-asc?t:state:flow=752bf1f7-40ce-47e0-aaee-78fe8ed7422c
