Traditionally, the African cultures known as the Kisii have long mined soapstone from the Tabaka Hills in southwest Kenya to make powdered soapstone for use in healing, divining, and initiation rituals. Starting in the 20th century, Kisii men began to mine this soft metamorphic rock in order to supply workshops where the soapstone is carved into small sculptures and household … [Read more...] about Hand-Carved Kisii Soapstone Objects: Researched and Conserved by Christina Elkinton
The Kina Shell Moka Breastplate is a type of body decoration that is worn primarily by men of the different highlands regions of Papua New Guinea. The breastplate may be worn on the neck, the chest, or in some regions, on the back. The breastplate consists of a kina shell -- a large piece of pearl oyster shell -- that is set into a backing composed of different substances such … [Read more...] about Kina Shell Moka Breastplate: Researched and Conserved by Naysa Adams
The Igbo men of Nigeria create Isiji initiation masks with a wooden frame to form the tall upper section and a calabash gourd to form the face mask. The frame is tightly wound and tied with raffia rope and fibers, and more raffia is braided and tied around the edges of the mask to form a border and side loops. The mask is painted with red, black, white, and yellow mineral … [Read more...] about An Isiji Initiation Mask: Researched and Conserved by Earlene Elliot-Lee
The objects in this exhibit are reproductions of metalwork art produced by Pre-Columbian cultures of the Isthmian Region. Although the burials of the Isthmian Region have been heavily looted, recent excavations of intact sites confirm that these objects were used as personal adornment during life and as burial offerings after death; they also suggest that all aspects … [Read more...] about Isthmian Region Cast and Forged Metalwork Reproductions by Alex Ennor
The Dzonokwa Spirit Mask portrays a character Kwakiutl mythology that is known as “the wild woman of the woods,” a spirit that is believed to bring great power to chiefs. These masks are identifiable by several features, the most distinctive being its large, puckered lips; the Kwakiutl believe that the mouth is a link to one’s soul, and this spirit is believed to … [Read more...] about Native Masks and Headdresses of the Americas by Rylee Williams