A:shiwi (Zuni Pueblo). <em>Necklace</em>, ca. 1100–1300. Stone, shell, plant fiber, 11 1/2 x 8 1/2 in. (29.2 x 21.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Estate of Stewart Culin, Museum Purchase, 30.808. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 30.808_installation_PS5.jpg)

A:shiwi (Zuni Pueblo). Necklace, ca. 1100–1300. Stone, shell, plant fiber, 11 1/2 x 8 1/2 in. (29.2 x 21.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Estate of Stewart Culin, Museum Purchase, 30.808. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 30.808_installation_PS5.jpg)

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We are looking for objects in the museum made in the Americas before 1776. Where should we go?

The first gallery after the entrance gallery in American Identities shows portraits and furniture from colonial America around and a little before that time period and you should absolutely see the Arts of the Americas exhibit, "Life, Death and Transformation".

Thank you! Are there objects from this period in Visible Storage?

Yes, definitely. Go to the back drawers and you'll see some great objects from the American collection, though I'm not sure what time periods you'll find.

Super. Thank you! My students are here trying to piece together colonial America through material culture. I've done the project several times and wanted to be sure I didn't miss anything new. Thank you for being amazing, BMA.

If you want to dig into some specific objects, the portrait of Mrs. Silvester Gardiner in that first gallery I mentioned might be interesting to look at. It was painted in 1772 and during the revolution, her husband tended to hurt British soldiers after the battle of Bunker Hill, and was quite vocal about his Tory views. They ended up sailing back to England in 1778.

You'll also notice that many of the portraits in that gallery have unusual styling, that is because many of the portrait artists in Colonial America were self-taught, often relying on reproduced prints of European artworks to train themselves.

They were really excited to find the Zuni necklace. And they were fascinated by the portraiture. Thank you!

You're very welcome. I hope you and your class will be able to visit again, too!

Necklace

Arts of the Americas

CULTURE A:shiwi (Zuni Pueblo)

MEDIUM Stone, shell, plant fiber

Place Made: Zuni, New Mexico, United States

DATES ca. 1100–1300

DIMENSIONS 11 1/2 x 8 1/2 in. (29.2 x 21.6 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas

ACCESSION NUMBER 30.808

CREDIT LINE Estate of Stewart Culin, Museum Purchase

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION This is a mixed string of brown beads and small shells. Measurements are when necklace is closed.

EXHIBITIONS

Objects of Myth and Memory

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION A:shiwi (Zuni Pueblo). Necklace, ca. 1100–1300. Stone, shell, plant fiber, 11 1/2 x 8 1/2 in. (29.2 x 21.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Estate of Stewart Culin, Museum Purchase, 30.808. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 30.808_installation_PS5.jpg)

IMAGE installation, 30.808_installation_PS5.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2014

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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