Decorative motifs on north African pottery may sometimes appear simple, but they are considered very important; in Algeria, for example, new members of a family, such as newlywed wives, are expected to adopt their in-law’s pottery styles. This vessel shows the importance of the painting decoration in the care taken to prepare the surface, which has been burnished to a shine … [Read more...] about Decorative Serving Pitcher: Researched by Olivia Smith
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
This exhibit focuses on ancient Mesoamerican ceramic figurines from the Olmec, Colima, and Nayarit cultures. These figurines are typical of those made during the Mesoamerican Formative period, which lasted from 1500 BCE until 250 CE, when small, solid ceramic figurines were hand-modeled rather than made using molds. The Nayarit and Colima cultures are part of the larger … [Read more...] about Ancient Mesoamerican Ceramic Figurines: by Akira Alves
Among the indigenous artists of the Americas, ceramists have developed signature pottery forms that are based on traditional cooking and storage vessels. These artists often also developed elaborate, decorative forms of pottery to serve for important civic or ritual occasions, as well as to cater to and satisfy high-status patrons. Some forms, motifs, and designs on these … [Read more...] about Native Ceramic Vessels from Around the Americas: Researched by Whitney Mosley and Sarah Teel
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