With more than two million objects in the Maxwell Museum collections, there a lot of stories to tell. Learn some of them here.
Ketoh (bow guard) MMA 76.88.1
Posted on: Monday, December 13, 2021
This ketoh, or Navajo arm (or bow) guard, by an unknown artist is made of leather with an attached silver band or plaque. The bent rectangular plaque is adorned with four leaf-shaped motifs (perhaps signifying the four sacred directions), and two... read more
Seed Jar by Virginia Gutierrez (MMA 96.34.64)
Posted on: Monday, December 6, 2021
This ceramic seed jar was crafted by potter Virginia Gutierrez of Nanbé Owingeh (Pueblo of Nambé) and P’osuwaege Owingeh (Pueblo of Pojoaque). It is painted in red, brown, gold, blue and cream colors with intricate symbolic designs, featuring... read more
Coushatta Turkey Basket (MMA 78.33.2)
Posted on: Monday, November 22, 2021
This turkey-shaped container is made of coiled pine needles, raffia, and pine cone. Made by an unknown artist of the Coushatta people of the Southeastern United States, the pine needles are bundled together and coiled to form the overall shape.... read more
MMA 99.106.7
Posted on: Monday, November 15, 2021
This rug features six broad red bands each holding four striped lizards (possibly skinks), depicted in black with yellow eyes and white stripes running from the head to the tip of the tail. Pairs of lizards face the central axis of the weaving... read more
Posted on: Monday, November 1, 2021
This polychrome ceramic canteen was made by Hopi artist Gwen Sharon Setalla in summer 2017 as part of the Chaco Heritage Project. Gwen Setalla is a potter from the village of Mishongnovi on Second Mesa in the Hopi Reservation of Arizona, and a... read more
Eye dazzler (MMA 63.34.125)
Posted on: Monday, October 25, 2021
Eye Dazzler weavings are known for their bright colors and intricate designs. The availability of brightly colored aniline dyed wool yarns from commercial mills in Germantown, Pennsylvania in the late 19th century introduced a new suite of colors... read more
Storm pattern weaving (MMA 85.49.9)
Posted on: Monday, October 11, 2021
This Storm Pattern (171 x 111.5 cm) weaving by Diné weaver Rose Keith won the blue ribbon at the 1979 New Mexico State Fair. The storm pattern is believed to have originated in the western part of the reservation and in 1903, a storm pattern rug... read more
Shipibo Kënpo (MMA 80.46.1)
Posted on: Monday, October 4, 2021
The Shipibo (or Shipibo-Conibo) people live along the Ucayali River in southeastern Peru in the upper reaches of the Amazon. Shipibo women are renowned for their finely decorated textiles and ceramics. These are ornamented with designs known as... read more
Tanga: plaster cast from the National Museum of Brazo; (MMA 42.1.1)
Posted on: Monday, September 13, 2021
This plaster replica of a tanga,or woman’s pubic cover, was donated to the Maxwell Museum in 1942 by Heloisa Alberto Torres, Director of the National Museum of Brazil from 1937 to 1955. Alberto Torres is known for her archaeological research on... read more
Nuchu (MMA 2017.34.83)
Posted on: Monday, September 6, 2021
Created by master carvers, Nuchukana (plural; singular nuchu), small wooden human figures, are found in homes across the Guna territories of northeast coastal Panama. When not in use in curing ceremonies, the nuchukana help protect the household’... read more
