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.
The most common American sculptures are called Fetishes. These Fetishes are small carvings that are often highly decorated. They formed a crucial part of the lives of these indigenous tribes. As the most commonly took the form of animals these people believed that the small carvings took on the spirit of the animal they represented. Fetish dolls commonly take the forms of bears, eagles, rabbits, or wild horses.
The artists who sculpted these small animals believed that their art should be both beautiful as well as having a purpose. They would spend a considerable amount of time ensuring that their sculptures were appropriately decorated. The artists would choose decorations from objects around them that caught their attention. Common decorations for these Fetish carvings include shells, feathers, and small stones while the rarer sculptures were covered in precious metals and gemstones.
Continuing the tradition of using what was available to them, the artists who carved these little sculptures would use the stone around them. There are many examples of Fetish sculptures that have been carved from the soapstone or turquoise. The experts consider Fetish sculptures carved from marble to be the most difficult to find. This could be because marble at the time was a scarce and expensive commodity.
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.
There are a wide variety of Native American sculptures other than the Fetish Carvings. Busts shaped from clay or wood were also common. Each one of these sculptures represents an important historical figure from their history. Additionally, totem poles were often crafted by carving figures out of tree trunks. The totem poles were sculpted to indicate a welcome place for guests while indicating the status and ties in a village or home.
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.
The most common American sculptures are called Fetishes. These Fetishes are small carvings that are often highly decorated. They formed a crucial part of the lives of these indigenous tribes. As the most commonly took the form of animals these people believed that the small carvings took on the spirit of the animal they represented. Fetish dolls commonly take the forms of bears, eagles, rabbits, or wild horses.
The artists who sculpted these small animals believed that their art should be both beautiful as well as having a purpose. They would spend a considerable amount of time ensuring that their sculptures were appropriately decorated. The artists would choose decorations from objects around them that caught their attention. Common decorations for these Fetish carvings include shells, feathers, and small stones while the rarer sculptures were covered in precious metals and gemstones.
Continuing the tradition of using what was available to them, the artists who carved these little sculptures would use the stone around them. There are many examples of Fetish sculptures that have been carved from the soapstone or turquoise. The experts consider Fetish sculptures carved from marble to be the most difficult to find. This could be because marble at the time was a scarce and expensive commodity.
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.
There are a wide variety of Native American sculptures other than the Fetish Carvings. Busts shaped from clay or wood were also common. Each one of these sculptures represents an important historical figure from their history. Additionally, totem poles were often crafted by carving figures out of tree trunks. The totem poles were sculpted to indicate a welcome place for guests while indicating the status and ties in a village or home.
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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