Native Americans have been creating paints and sculptures for centuries. This is one of the first civilizations in America and thus their culture is rich in history and art. One of their most popular forms of expression is sculpture. Over the years there have been countless Native American oil paintings NM and sculptures uncovered by Archeologists.
Although there are a wide variety of different sculptures the most common are known as Fetishes. They were miniaturized carvings of animals that were believed to contain the essence of the being that it was carved to look like. Common animals that were chosen for these carvings include eagles, rabbits, wild horses, or bears. These small statues were highly revered by the Native American people. As a result, great care was taken when making and decorating them.
These small animals were sculpted with the idea that they needed to b attractive while still serving a purpose to the person who carried them. The sculptures would be meticulously decorated with small stones, feathers, shells, and anything from nature that was beautiful. However, some Fetish sculptures were more highly decorated than others. These sculptures would be adorned in precious metals or even gemstones that the artist would specially choose.
The lands in which the Native Americans lived was rich in mineral deposits. Thus it is common to find these kinds of carvings that have been sculpted from stones like soapstone and turquoise. The rarer and difficult to find Fetishes are usually carved from marble. These small sculptures are incredible as marble was incredibly difficult to locate at that time and would have been rather expensive.
Although several Native tribes created these Fetish carvings the Zuni tribe created the most prolific sculptures. This tribe believed that their sculptures were real animals that had been turned to the sun by their sun god. Therefore, these little carvings held immense power and were treated with great respect. These people believed that their sculptures were the physical connection between earth and the spirit world.
Another fact that set these Zuni carvings apart from others was their belief that four different animals each represented a different direction. When an individual carried a carving of one of these animals they would be empowered by the characteristics of that animal. Some sculptures were a representation of health and others would keep you safe on a long journey. North, East, South, and West were each respectively represented by the mountain lion, wolf, badger, and the bear.
The American culture is also well known for their wide variety of sculptures. They would take fallen logs and sculpt totem poles from their wood. Each totem pole served as a welcome sign for guests and would offer an important visual representation of the families or villages status and ties. Also common were busts sculpted from clay or carved from wood. These busts would represent important figures in Native American history.
The history of the Native tribes is varied and their sculptures add to the diversity. Their sculptures are key to their identity as they are the link between man and the spirit world while being aesthetically pleasing.
Although there are a wide variety of different sculptures the most common are known as Fetishes. They were miniaturized carvings of animals that were believed to contain the essence of the being that it was carved to look like. Common animals that were chosen for these carvings include eagles, rabbits, wild horses, or bears. These small statues were highly revered by the Native American people. As a result, great care was taken when making and decorating them.
These small animals were sculpted with the idea that they needed to b attractive while still serving a purpose to the person who carried them. The sculptures would be meticulously decorated with small stones, feathers, shells, and anything from nature that was beautiful. However, some Fetish sculptures were more highly decorated than others. These sculptures would be adorned in precious metals or even gemstones that the artist would specially choose.
The lands in which the Native Americans lived was rich in mineral deposits. Thus it is common to find these kinds of carvings that have been sculpted from stones like soapstone and turquoise. The rarer and difficult to find Fetishes are usually carved from marble. These small sculptures are incredible as marble was incredibly difficult to locate at that time and would have been rather expensive.
Although several Native tribes created these Fetish carvings the Zuni tribe created the most prolific sculptures. This tribe believed that their sculptures were real animals that had been turned to the sun by their sun god. Therefore, these little carvings held immense power and were treated with great respect. These people believed that their sculptures were the physical connection between earth and the spirit world.
Another fact that set these Zuni carvings apart from others was their belief that four different animals each represented a different direction. When an individual carried a carving of one of these animals they would be empowered by the characteristics of that animal. Some sculptures were a representation of health and others would keep you safe on a long journey. North, East, South, and West were each respectively represented by the mountain lion, wolf, badger, and the bear.
The American culture is also well known for their wide variety of sculptures. They would take fallen logs and sculpt totem poles from their wood. Each totem pole served as a welcome sign for guests and would offer an important visual representation of the families or villages status and ties. Also common were busts sculpted from clay or carved from wood. These busts would represent important figures in Native American history.
The history of the Native tribes is varied and their sculptures add to the diversity. Their sculptures are key to their identity as they are the link between man and the spirit world while being aesthetically pleasing.
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