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.
The people who created these small carvings believed that form was as crucial as a function in their art. Great time and attention would be given to the decoration of their carvings. Some of the common decorations used on these carved figures were usually a variety of objects that could be found in their environments like small stones, shells, and feathers. Fetishes that were more valuable would be decorated with gemstones and precious metals.
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.
It is believed that among all of the Native tribes the Zuni tribe were responsible for some of the most significant Fetish carvings. This was a tribe who believed that each sculpture was an animal who had been transformed into stone by the god of the sun. This indicates that this tribe found real value in their art. For them, each Fetish sculpture was a link between the physical and 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.
However, these fetishes were not the only sculptures created by this ancient civilization. The American race also chose to express their religion by creating busts from clay or carving them from wood. These busts would represent important figures in their history. Another popular form of creative expression took the form of large totem poles that were carved from the trunks of trees. These totems were a welcoming sign for the visitor as well as the ties and status of a home or village.
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.
The people who created these small carvings believed that form was as crucial as a function in their art. Great time and attention would be given to the decoration of their carvings. Some of the common decorations used on these carved figures were usually a variety of objects that could be found in their environments like small stones, shells, and feathers. Fetishes that were more valuable would be decorated with gemstones and precious metals.
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.
It is believed that among all of the Native tribes the Zuni tribe were responsible for some of the most significant Fetish carvings. This was a tribe who believed that each sculpture was an animal who had been transformed into stone by the god of the sun. This indicates that this tribe found real value in their art. For them, each Fetish sculpture was a link between the physical and 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.
However, these fetishes were not the only sculptures created by this ancient civilization. The American race also chose to express their religion by creating busts from clay or carving them from wood. These busts would represent important figures in their history. Another popular form of creative expression took the form of large totem poles that were carved from the trunks of trees. These totems were a welcoming sign for the visitor as well as the ties and status of a home or village.
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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