Kachina figures are made by many different Native cultures of the American Southwest region, but they are believed to have originated with the Hopi culture. The more geometric, compact, and simplified Kachina figures, or Tihu figures (plural Tithu), are traditional sculptures that depict Hopi spirits and serve as educational, religious objects; these figures are carved by the … [Read more...] about American Southwest Kachina Figures: Researched by Hannah Robinson
The Baule culture of Côte D’Ivoire, in Western Coastal Africa, make two types of figural sculptures that look very similar, but that represent very different spirits. Both types of spirit figures are carved according to the ideals of beauty for the Baule, with smooth, shining skin, heavy muscular legs, shapely calves, and elaborately braided and styled hair. The first type … [Read more...] about Baule Spirit Figure: Researched and Conserved by David Wright