With more than two million objects in the Maxwell Museum collections, there a lot of stories to tell. Learn more about some of them here.
Ribboned hat (lixton pixolal), San Juan Chamula, Chiapas, Mexico (MMA 2018.23.76)
Posted on: Monday, March 1, 2021 - 6:00am
This man’s hat, with a flat brim adorned with red and green ribbons and a red tassel on top, is from the township of San Juan Chamula in the Mexican state of Chiapas. It is made from palm fiber, most likely Sabal mexicana, a fan palm species that... read more
Ganado Rug. Artist unknown, ca. 1930. (MMA 63.47.1)
Posted on: Monday, February 22, 2021 - 6:00am
This Navajo weaving in the Ganado style features a central motif of stepped hourglass shapes surrounded by terraced zig-zag lines and terraced “v” shapes on the sides in black, white, red, and natural wools. The overall dimensions of the rug are... read more
Seated Woman, Lagunillas Style E, Nayarit, Mexico, c. 300 BCE-300 CE, artist unknown (MMA 2006.66.2)
Posted on: Monday, February 15, 2021 - 12:00pm
With this post, the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology and UNM Art Museum Student Advisory Board (UNMAM SAB) are launching a new online collaboration featuring UNM museum collections and the work of student researchers. Today's post features the work... read more
Cochineal insects (2012.178.12a)
Posted on: Monday, February 8, 2021 - 11:15am
Cochineal is a magenta-colored dye that is derived from tiny parasitical insects (Dactylopius coccus) indigenous to Mexico, South and Central America, and the American Southwest. Mesoamericans have been cultivating the insects and dyeing with... read more
Bamileke elephant box (2019.12.1)
Posted on: Monday, February 1, 2021 - 10:30am
This fully-beaded elephant-shaped box with lid was made by the Bamileke people of West Cameroon, Africa. The body and head of the elephant are carved from a solid piece of wood, and covered with beadwork over its entire surface. The beads are... read more
Maku Wichetty Grubs, by Dawn Nipper, ca. 2005
Posted on: Monday, January 25, 2021 - 6:15am
This painting on canvas by Australian Aboriginal artist Dawn Nipper is entitled “Maku Wichetty Grubs.” It depicts four bands of purple radiating out from a central black and white circle. Each band has two white grubs with orange dots at their... read more
Ci wara headdress (MMA 79.13.1)
Posted on: Monday, January 18, 2021 - 6:00am
Art historians consider the ci wara (first documented in print in 1912 by a Frenchman as “Tyi Ouara”) to be the iconic African sculpture. France colonized the region of West Africa now known as Mali (République du Mali) that included the Bamana... read more
Posted on: Monday, January 11, 2021 - 7:15am
This pictorial rug by Atsuma Blackhorse has a gray background with the central motif of a stylized Mimbres rabbit and a stylized Hopi (Sikyatki-style) bird, likely an eagle. There is a maroon border with grey and black geometric double hooks and... read more
Posted on: Monday, January 4, 2021 - 9:00am
This tall jar is utility ware vessel. As the name implies, this jar was used for everyday activities such as holding water, cooking, or other domestic uses at Kuaua Pueblo located north of Albuquerque at the Coronado Historic Site.
Utility... read more
Posted on: Monday, December 14, 2020 - 2:00pm
This blackware ceramic “Nacimiento” or nativity scene was made by Santa Clara potters Dorothy and Paul Gutierrez around 1975. It includes angels, animals, Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. A small wooden manger, made in... read more
