Masks have a long history in Mesoamerica, and they have been used in theatrical productions, dances, and rituals in Mexico from ancient times through the present day. Of these five masks, two are reproductions of ancient masks, one is an actual ancient mask, and two are 20th-century masks likely worn in modern Mestizo (mixed Hispanic and indigenous cultures) festival … [Read more...] about Mexican Masks, Past and Present: Researched by Emily McClain and Joshua Burd
Tepache vessels are known today as elaborately decorated ceramic vessels produced for the tourist trade by the potters of San José de Gracia, a village in the Mexican state of Michoacán. The vessels were first created by the potter Elisa Madrigal Martínez, who began making them in the 1930s after she had moved from Carapan to San José de Gracia; up until that time, the potters … [Read more...] about Tepache Vessel with Three Calla Lilies on Lid: Researched by Sarah Teel
The word most commonly used to describe the occurrence of small, solid, ceramic figurines is “ubiquitous,” as they are found everywhere in Mesoamerica. Throughout the Preclassic/Formative period (1500 BCE-250 CE) archaeological sites, figurines such as the objects in this display have been recovered in large numbers. While the find sites for these five figurines is unknown, a … [Read more...] about Preclassic/Formative Period Mesoamerican Figurines: Researched by Grace Young
The southern central Mexican state of Oaxaca is the home to the Zapotec and Mixtec, indigenous cultures whose artisans have both preserved ancient traditions and have developed vibrant new artforms. Grey plumbate wares have been known since Precolumbian times, and from this ancient tradition developed a prominent form of art known as barro negro, or Oaxacan black pottery. … [Read more...] about Oaxacan Black Pottery: Researched by Emma Schupbach
Berber vessels are distinctive in their use of locally sourced clays that the artisans dig, process, mature, and work by hand. Although this Berber vessel takes the same form as large, traditional Moroccan tagines used for cooking, this tagine is much too small to be used for cooking or serving meals. Instead, this covered vessel was made to mimic the shape of a tagine, but it … [Read more...] about Miniature Tagine for Holding Spices: Researched by Olivia Smith