These two wooden elephant figures were carved by artisans of the Kamba cultures of Kenya, Africa. Traditionally, Kamba woodworkers created simple, functional objects such as hand-carved large wooden spoons, stools, and stoppers for medicine horns. In the early 20th century, however, a Kamba man named Mutesya waMunge served in the military during World War I; he was stationed in … [Read more...] about Kamba Elephant Sculptures Researched, Conserved, and Reconstructed by Jenna Fallert
Since the 20th century, the Kamba cultures of Kenya have developed a thriving tourist-trade business in hand-carving wooden figures of native African animals. While originally these figures were carved and finished by a single artisan, today these carvings are produced in workshops using an assembly-line style of mass production: The main artisan will carve a basic figure, … [Read more...] about Kamba Culture Wooden Rhinoceros Figure: Researched, Conserved, and Repaired by McKenzie Wixon
Contemporary Peruvian textile artists are predominantly of mixed Andean and Spanish ancestry, and they illustrate a mastery of their craft that draws strongly upon this Andean-Mestizo heritage. Fine textiles served as symbols of wealth and socioeconomic status among Pre-Columbian Andean cultures because of the fine fabrics, their elaborate weaving techniques, and their … [Read more...] about 20th-century Andean-Mestizo Textile with Chimú or Moche Motifs: Researched and Conserved by Alyssa Cartier
The Iroquois, or Haudenosaunee Nation, is a confederacy of six nations: The Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora. Female artists from all of these nations created elaborate beadwork, but this frame was most likely produced by the Mohawk, who produced beadwork on purple velvet and using these colors, motifs, and the looping, raised beadwork technique shown on … [Read more...] about Native American Beaded Frame: Researched, Conserved, and Restored by Kylei Giles
The Luba are a matrilineal culture who highly honor their female ancestors. Men may lead among the Luba, but they do so only through the sacred wisdom of women. Female kinship ties are also extremely important to social status. Luba wooden figures of adult women serve as shrine figures that depict important ancestors, and they also serve as illustrations for instructing … [Read more...] about Luba Culture Standing Female Wooden Figure: Researched, Conserved, and Restored by McKenzie Wixon