Ancient and Native American

Ancient and Native American Collection

The Mint Museum Randolph features ancient and contemporary art from the many native cultures of the Americas, spanning more than 2,500 years of artistic creativity from the United States to Bolivia.  The ancient cultures of Mesoamerica (Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, northern Honduras and El Salvador), Central America (Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama), and Andean South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia) all developed their own unique art styles.  These works in earthenware, jadeite and other stones, and the fiber arts embody the social, political and religious ideologies that were the foundations of these vibrant cultures.

Native people of the Americas have persevered for more than 500 years of colonization and persecution.  Their art continues to a play key role in their survival, preserving cultural identity, the principles of society and spirituality that all sustain human civilization.  The museum’s collections of contemporary Native arts showcase pottery and basketry from North America: especially the Southwest, performance masks from Mexico, and modern Maya textiles from Guatemala and Chiapas, Mexico.

El Duende (Lord of the Forest) Performance Mask Mexico. late 20th Century	Jaguar Performers Mexico. Veracruz culture, 600-800 CE	Plate with Maize God Guatemala. Tikal region, 650-750 CE
Double-spout Vessel Peru. Nasca culture, 550-650 CE	Micaceous Earthenware Jar By Lonnie Vigil, Nambe	Large Tray with Butterfly Motifs By Lorraine Black, Navajo
Woman’s Tunic Guatemala, K’iché Maya, late 20th Century	Vessel  Stand Panama's Coclé culture, 1200-1500 CE	Tunic Panel Peru. Wari culture, 600-800 CE