This bark container (called a tunga), was made by Aboriginal Australian artist Rhondo Kompoo. It is made of folded eucalyptus bark and vegetal fiber, painted with natural pigments in yellow, black, red, and white.
Traditionally, Tiwi... read more
With more than two million objects in the Maxwell Museum collections, there a lot of stories to tell. Learn some of them here.
Tunga bark container by Rhonda Kompoo (MMA 2004.34.3)
Posted on: Monday, August 16, 2021
This bark container (called a tunga), was made by Aboriginal Australian artist Rhondo Kompoo. It is made of folded eucalyptus bark and vegetal fiber, painted with natural pigments in yellow, black, red, and white.
Traditionally, Tiwi... read more
San Isidro Labrador (MMA 94.141.1)
Posted on: Monday, August 2, 2021
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... read more
Effigy vessel by Elmer Gates (MMA 2021.17.1)
Posted on: Monday, July 26, 2021
This human effigy jar was created by Mojave (Mohave) potter Elmer Gates (1929-1990). The seated figure balancing a ceramic bowl on its head, is made of micaceous clay. Its face and body are adorned with red painted designs, complemented by blue... read more
Tree of Life Weaving by Margaret Bochinclozy (MMA 63.34.172)
Posted on: Tuesday, July 20, 2021
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
Wide Ruins weaving by Emma K. Joe (MMA 69.67.35)
Posted on: Monday, July 12, 2021
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
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
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 Aragon was... read more
Thunderbird bolo tie clasp by A;shiwi artist Oliver Cellicion
Posted on: Monday, June 21, 2021
This bolo tie with a thunderbird design was made by A:shiwi artist Oliver Cellicion (1913-1996). The thunderbird slide features silver channel inlay with jet, shell, and turquoise. Channel inlay is closely associated with Southwest Native... read more
Earrings by Washngton Talayumptewa (MMA 63.32.18)
Posted on: Sunday, June 13, 2021
These cottonwood, turquoise, and mother of pearl or abalone earrings were made by Washington Talayumptewa, a noted Hopi jeweler who was principally known for his silverwork. Turquoise and shell were attached to the wooden base with pine pitch or... read more
Cat Storyteller by Emily Fragua Tsosie (MMA 2013.103.34)
Posted on: Monday, June 7, 2021
Happy International Museum Week, June 7-14, 2021! This year's theme is Creativity! What better way to join the celebration with the 60,000 museums around the world celebrating this week than with a storyteller?
This polychrome ceramic... read more