Material World: Adornment from Around the Globe

Exhibition

Exhibition Overview

Material World: Adornment from Around the Globe
Material World: Adornment from Around the Globe
Spencer Museum of Art Interns 2013–2014, curator
Gallery 405, Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

Adorning the body fulfills a basic human need to beautify the self. An array of forms, styles, and materials communicate different cultural ideals of beauty. Using works found in the Spencer Museum of Art’s permanent collection and those on loan from Robert Hiller, Material World: Adornment from Around the Globe explores a variety of objects created from diverse materials. This exhibition contains over seventy examples of jewelry and accessories from nearly every continent in the world and is divided into five categories: Stone, Metal, Organic, Synthetic, and Collected. Though many of the works are made of mixed materials, each object is arranged according to its most striking material feature. Co-curated by Abby Anderson, Raechel Cook, Ye Gee Kwon, Laura Minton, and Jessie Sirico

Works of art

unrecorded Zulu artist, pair of beaded anklets
unrecorded Zulu artist
late 1800s–1965
necklace
late 1800s–1981
unrecorded Hawazma artist, two bracelets
unrecorded Hawazma artist
1983–1984
unrecorded Maasai artist, pair of men's ear ornaments
unrecorded Maasai artist
late 1800s–1968
unrecorded Lakota artist, beaded necklace with pendant
unrecorded Lakota artist
late 1800s–1992
unknown maker, pin with bird
unknown maker
late 1800s–1998
unrecorded Hausa-Fulani artist, beads made from recycled glass
unrecorded Hausa-Fulani artist
1980
hairpin
circa 1940, Showa period (1926–1989)
Cai-Xuan (Molly) Wu, Transit: Knitting No. 3 (brooch)
Cai-Xuan (Molly) Wu
2012
unrecorded Diné (Navajo) artist, turquoise and silver ring
unrecorded Diné (Navajo) artist
late 1800s–1963
Eddie Tsalabutie (1925–1965), concho belt
Eddie Tsalabutie (1925–1965)
mid 1900s–1965
kanzashi hairpin
date unknown
pendant
1900s
Aggie Benyon (born 1947), Ring
Aggie Benyon (born 1947)
date unknown
cuff bracelet
late 1800s–1975
unrecorded Hausa artist, cuff bracelet
unrecorded Hausa artist
late 1800s–1975
unrecorded Diné (Navajo) artist, squash blossom necklace with naja pendant
unrecorded Diné (Navajo) artist
late 1800s–1981
unrecorded Coastal Zapotec artist, aretes (pair of earrings)
unrecorded Coastal Zapotec artist
1989
Júlia Kunovská (born 1949), bracelet
Júlia Kunovská (born 1949)
2009
unrecorded Hawazma artist, hijab (men's amulet)
unrecorded Hawazma artist
1983–1984
kanzashi hairpin
date unknown
Levinger & Bissinger (founded 1901), plique-à-jour Art Nouveau necklace
Levinger & Bissinger (founded 1901)
circa 1900
unrecorded Australian Aboriginal artist, nose bone
unrecorded Australian Aboriginal artist
late 1800s–1944
unrecorded Australian Aboriginal artist, one of a set of 90 bracelets
unrecorded Australian Aboriginal artist
late 1800s–1944
unrecorded Ipili-Payala artist, men's arm band
unrecorded Ipili-Payala artist
late 1800s–1967
unrecorded Ayoreo artist, men's feathered neck ornament
unrecorded Ayoreo artist
late 1800s–1976
unrecorded Zulu artist, ear spool
unrecorded Zulu artist
late 1800s–1965
unrecorded Native Alaskan artist, bracelet
unrecorded Native Alaskan artist
1930s–1948
unrecorded Bororo artist, necklace
unrecorded Bororo artist
1970s
necklace
1970s
unrecorded Kanaka Maoli (Hawaiian) artist, nut lei (necklace)
unrecorded Kanaka Maoli (Hawaiian) artist
late 1800s–1980
unrecorded Aché artist, necklace
unrecorded Aché artist
late 1800s–1976
comb
circa 1940, Showa period (1926–1989)
kushi (comb)
1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Staatliche Majolika Keramik Manufaktur (1901–present), brooch
Staatliche Majolika Keramik Manufaktur (1901–present)
circa 1945–1960
Staatliche Majolika Keramik Manufaktur (1901–present); Max Heinze (1883–1966); Ilse Hohenreuther (1911–1952), brooch
Staatliche Majolika Keramik Manufaktur (1901–present); Max Heinze (1883–1966); Ilse Hohenreuther (1911–1952)
circa 1945–1960
Württemberg Metal Factory (founded 1853), necklace
Württemberg Metal Factory (founded 1853)
circa 1930
Levinger & Bissinger (founded 1901), garland style necklace
Levinger & Bissinger (founded 1901)
circa 1905
Eisenberg & Sons, Inc. (1914–present), brooch
Eisenberg & Sons, Inc. (1914–present)
circa 1935
Trifari (1918–present), pair of brooch clips
Trifari (1918–present)
circa 1935
bracelet
early 1900s
cylindrical ornament with brown tassels
late 1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
ring
1960s
pendant
1960s
Eduard Schöpflich (1873–1933); Nikolaus Thallmayr (1875–1928, active 1900–1905), Art Nouveau pendant with dragon or cobra
Eduard Schöpflich (1873–1933); Nikolaus Thallmayr (1875–1928, active 1900–1905)
1900–1905
Murrle Bennett & Co. (1884–1914), Arts and Crafts necklace
Murrle Bennett & Co. (1884–1914)
circa 1900
unrecorded Hinono’eino (Arapaho) artist, stone necklace with pendant
unrecorded Hinono’eino (Arapaho) artist
late 1800s–1951
unrecorded A:shiwi (Zuñi) artist, bolo tie with fancy dancer
unrecorded A:shiwi (Zuñi) artist
late 1800s–1963