These colorful earrings are made with light green, dark green, blue, and red seed beads. The almond shape of the transparent green beaded loops suggests that they may represent leaves, or more likely, feathers that are tied along a string. Feathers were commonly worn as status symbols among Great Plains cultures, as they were presented as symbols of recognition for different … [Read more...] about Native North American Beadwork by Alexa Langelier
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
The Native peoples of the Great Plains consist of a variety of cultures who adopted a similar lifestyle that enabled them to survive in this relatively harsh region. These peoples based their subsistence upon the great bison herds, depending on them for food, clothing, and shelter; following these herds required the Great Plains peoples to adopt a nomadic existence with few … [Read more...] about Regalia of the Great Plains Nations: Researched by Macaylah Gant Hodge
Native American beadwork varies greatly among different cultures, with individual nations often adopting specific designs, color schemes, beading techniques, and added elements. The Bone Bead Key Ring in this display, for example, is composed of glass seed beads, aluminum tinklers, short cylindrical plastic beads, and long bone beads, all strung on hemp cord; this particular … [Read more...] about Native American Beadwork: Researched by Jasmine Currey
A rosette is a decorative artform that symbolizes wealth and status. Rosettes were used in as trade items, and Native artisans attach these beaded forms to a wide variety of garments, from headdresses or bonnets to shirts, pants, moccasins, and gloves. Rosettes are also used to adorn traditional personal objects such as turbans, pouches, bags, and quivers, and they may decorate … [Read more...] about Thunderbird Beaded Rosettes: Researched, Conserved, and Restored by Lindsey VanDieren