Ancient Mexican Art at Dumbarton Oaks
Auteur: Dumbarton Oaks
Nombre de pages: 337 pages
ISBN: 0884023451, 9780884023456
Edition: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection
Date de publication: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection
Description: "The Dumbarton Oaks collection of ancient art from the Central Highlands, Southwestern Highlands, and Gulf Lowlands of Mexico... includes singular objects of historic importance as well as fine examples of well-known types. At the time Robert Woods Bliss was establishing his collection, little was known about what the individuals who commissioned and created these objects thought about the meanings of specific materials. Yet Bliss's choices echo some ancient hierarchies of valued materials, especially those that were difficult to obtain and work, such as greenstone, shell, and gold. Luminous color and radiance captured the eye as easily in 1950 as in antiquity, although many associated meanings undoubtedly of importance in the ancient world still elude us today. Bliss eschewed other materials that were of profound importance in Pre-Hispanic Mexico---such as featherwork---perhaps in part due to the scarcity of such objects on the market in the twentieth century, as he did collect feather objects from the Andes. He collected ancient Mexican ceramics and wooden objects sparingly, focusing on a few objects of exceptional importance. In this sense the collection remains a personal, rather than comprehensive, selection of rare and finely crafted works." --Book Jacket.