http://www.columbusmuseum.org cma Tue, 21 May 2013 18:40:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 http://www.columbusmuseum.org/blog/collection/old-fire-god-with-brazier-vessel-on-head-central-american-vercruz-gulf-coast-mexico/ http://www.columbusmuseum.org/blog/collection/old-fire-god-with-brazier-vessel-on-head-central-american-vercruz-gulf-coast-mexico/#comments Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:23:09 +0000 scott http://cma.pbd-dev.com/?post_type=collection&p=2297 Read More...]]> The Columbus Museum of Art’s small, stellar collection of ancient American art features objects that are both important cultural relics and beautiful works in themselves. Although ancient, these objects share with much Modernist painting and sculpture the important Modernist characteristics of elegant lines and flat colors. The simplified naturalism and abstract form of these works resonate wonderfully with the Modernist works in the Museum’s collection. Collectors and admirers often are drawn to these works for many of the same reasons Pablo Picasso was attracted to and inspired by African art. Most of the objects in this collection come from the regions of Colima, Jalisco, and Nayarit, in western Mexico. The objects from these areas were created to be placed in burial chambers to assist the deceased in the afterlife. The “effigy” vessels are especially striking. In these, a human or animal form has been adapted to make a utilitarian container.

]]> http://www.columbusmuseum.org/blog/collection/old-fire-god-with-brazier-vessel-on-head-central-american-vercruz-gulf-coast-mexico/feed/ 0 http://www.columbusmuseum.org/blog/collection/seated-noble-or-court-musician-with-turtle-carapace-and-deer-horn-rasp-nayarit-western-mexico/ http://www.columbusmuseum.org/blog/collection/seated-noble-or-court-musician-with-turtle-carapace-and-deer-horn-rasp-nayarit-western-mexico/#comments Mon, 19 Mar 2012 22:22:52 +0000 scott http://cma.pbd-dev.com/?post_type=collection&p=2293 Read More...]]> Figures of musicians were frequently placed in burial chambers, indicating they were popular in ancient Mexican cultures. This musician sits to play an instrument made of a turtle shell and a deer antler. His ear plugs and the scarification on his shoulders and face are typical adornment. Sculpture from the Nayarit area of western Mexico is characterized by rough, dark red surfaces, geometric designs, and elaborate ornament and body paint. Although the figure’s eyes and mouth are simple, incised lines and ridges—and his limbs are simple, fluid cylinders—his maker still succeeded in conveying a spirit of liveliness in him.

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