Designs of the Southwestern Indians (Exhibition)

Exist Dates

1949 January 6 - 1949 January 31

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

Exhibition. Opened January 6, 1949 and closed January 25, 1949. Located in Section 5, Floor 1 in the Corner Gallery at the American Museum of Natural History. Designs of the Southwestern Indians featured reproductions of Navajo sand paintings, color plates showing Navajo blanket designs, a series of designs from prehistoric pottery from the Southwest, and other colored plates from the Museum's permanent collections.

Summary

Designs of the Southwestern Indians featured reproductions of Navajo sand paintings, color plates showing Navajo blanket designs, a series of designs from prehistoric pottery from the Southwest, and other colored plates from the Museum's permanent collections.

Highlights from the exhibition included (1):

*18 reproductions of Navajo sand paintings, which were part of a ceremony performed by warriors and depicted the legend, "Where the Two Came to their Father"

*Colors plates of Navajo blanket designs from 1850-1910

*24 designs from prehistoric pottery of the Southwest

*Approximately 75 plates from the Museum Library's permanent collection, representing a wide range of Native American art

This is a condensed summary of the exhibition. For additional information, see Sources and/or Related Resources.

Sources

(1) American Museum of Natural History. Press Release. "American Museum Exhibits Southwest Indian Designs." January 6, 1949. Departmental Records, DR 101. American Museum of Natural History Research Library.

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Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

American Museum of Natural History. Corner Gallery.
Location of exhibition 1949 January 6 – 1949 January 25 (1)

American Museum of Natural History. Department of Library Services.
Seventy-five plates exhibited from Museum Library collection (1)

Related Resources

American Museum of Natural History press releases, 1933-1990s.
"American Museum Exhibits Southwest Indian Designs." January 6, 1949.

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