carved ivory treasures 2008 exhibition
 This yoruba carved ivory treasures is on show in Washington
National
Museum of African Art part of the Smithsonian Institutions
WASHINGTON, DC.-Treasures 2008 showcases 74 sculptures made of ivory-a
material highly valued universally. These artworks, dating from between the 15th
and 20th centuries, range from small personal objects (containers, jewelry) to
large public objects (carved tusks, staffs).
Treasures 2008 highlights the extraordinary creativity of African artists and
what the original owners or caretakers in Africa deemed worthwhile. The
exhibition also reveals the "tastes" of collectors in the United
States, 13 of whom are represented in the show. (Many works from the museum's
collection are gifts from individuals.)
Some ivories were commissioned by Africans who had high social and/or spiritual
status (e.g., kings, queen mothers, priests, elders). Others were commissioned
by Europeans who wanted objects that functioned like souvenirs. The most famous
of these are the "Afro-Portuguese" ivories, which refute the popular
notion that the best African art is that untarnished by European influence or
contact. ("Afro-Portuguese" ivories are also displayed across the
mezzanine in African Vision: The Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection).
The ivory sculptures displayed in Treasures 2008 differentiate "us"
from "them"-the indigenous African from the colonialist, the African
from outside the culture, the commoner from royalty, the wealthy from the poor.
They may denote the original owner's gender and age too.
More articles related on the Smithsonian
in Washington | |
carved ivory
African
Antiques e-Newsletter
I never thought I would receive so much information's about the African art
world !
discussion groups : African
Art |Art
Africain
Auction ALERT:
Koller Zurich Tribal Art
6 december 2008
Home
Up
blog
Tribal Treasures in Dutch Private Collections
Also In this section:
Tribal Treasures in Dutch Private Collections
Home
Up
African Death
Alisa LaGamma Interview
Neuberger Museum
columbia wallach art gallery
Museum for African Art NYC
High Museum
nastya met-art
carved ivory
BMA Baltimore
fowler museum
MIA African Art
Newark West African Art
CMA Cleveland Museum of Art
The Menil collection
national museum of african art
Buy African Art
Genuine fine African Antiques from known collections.
African
Art friends:
André Kirbach |
Zemanek |Herman Bigham
| Walu |Jacaranda tribal
| Tookalook.com |
african art dealers
Join the
discussions :
African
Antiques group English
(1400 members)
discussions
AntiquesAfricaines
en Français (350 membres)
Sites Roll:
African art books Bibliofind
African
Antiques book Shop
African Antiques
archives
Buy African Antiques from
David Norden
African
Business news site.
Excellent diamonds
Need something you can't find here ?
It's on
Ebay African Art
|
