When you can't come to the Museum in person, Maxwell@Home offers brief glimpses into our collections, educational resources, ongoing research, online exhibitions, and Maxwell Museum history. "Ask the Maxwell" invites you to ask us questions about the Museum, anthropology, museum careers, etc. Please email us at maxwell@unm.edu with your "Ask the Maxwell" question.
Posted on: Monday, August 2, 2021 - 8:30am
San Isidro Labrador (MMA 94.141.1)
This carving in aspen wood depicts the figure San Isidro Labrador on a wooden base behind a plow with two oxen. He iholds a wooden bucket with leather straps draped over his right arm. The figure is unpainted. It was made by the carver George Lopez (1900-1993) of Cordova, New Mexico.
San Isidro Labrador (sometimes spelled Ysidro) is the Catholic patron saint of farmers. The original... read more
Tree of Life Weaving by Margaret Bochinclozy (MMA 63.34.172)
Posted on: Tuesday, July 20, 2021 - 3:15pm
This pictorial weaving was made by Diné weaver Margaret Bochinclozy in 1962. The rug depicts a tree of life motif, surrounded by a border of animals, a rainbow, and stars. A light green corn stalk-like tree climbs up the center of the textile on... read more
Hamper. British Columbia, artist unknown (MMA 60.27.28)
Posted on: Thursday, July 15, 2021 - 6:30am
In the nearly 50 years since the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology has been in its present location, the Museum has hosted approximately 150 temporary exhibitions. Here, we look back at some of them.
To Make Things Beautiful: Plateau Native... read more
Wide Ruins weaving by Emma K. Joe (MMA 69.67.35)
Posted on: Monday, July 12, 2021 - 9:00am
Emma K. Joe wove this rug in the 1960s. The Wide Ruins style is characterized by complex and detailed weaving techniques that create bold and large designs. Wide Ruins weavings are generally made with vegetal-dyed, fine handspun wool yarn in... read more
Squash blossom necklace by A:shiwi (Zuni) artist Josephine Buqua (MMA 77.49.66)
Posted on: Monday, July 5, 2021 - 12:30pm
This silver and turquoise necklace is known as a “Squash Blossom Necklace,” an iconic style of jewelry made by Native American artisans in the US Southwest. This piece features fourteen silver “squash blossom” beads, each set with four oval... read more
Pendant, Vidal Aragon (MMA 73.15.3)
Posted on: Monday, June 28, 2021 - 9:45am
This necklace was made by Kewa artist Vidal Aragon (1923-2015). It features a round silver pendant with one oval turquoise stone and five different kinds of animal tracks.
Vidal... read more
