Tutsi Basketry – World Class Weaving
This blog describes the art of Tutsi basketry, which has now become a recognized collectible in the African art world, and the “basket world,” in particular.
Journal
Peoples, deities and the objects they made: notes on the cultures behind the collection.
Creating Sacred Space – Building a Meditation Room
This blog describes the restoration, repurposing, and rebuilding of an exterior stone facade salvaged from an earthquake as a complete interior environment called The Meditation Room
Nature’s Handiwork – Introduction to Gongshi
In China, the pure beauty of nature has been treasured for centuries, and this is most evident in a collecting category called Gongshi. The art of Gongshi is…
Deciphering Deities – Will the Real Quan Yin Please Stand Up!
This blog examines the deity Quan Yin, technically the Buddhist god of compassion and mercy, who has now become a popular icon capturing the imagination of Buddhists and…
Collecting African Art: Part 1 – Authenticity
This blog deals with authenticity – one of the most important considerations in collecting traditional African art.
Symbolism in Chinese Art and Antiques: Part One – Animated Nature
The purpose of this blog is to provide the reader with a useful, practical guide to interpreting the appearance of animal symbols in Chinese art and antiques.
Traditional Narrative Art – Balinese Temple Paintings
The island of Bali is in Indonesia. While it can be described as an island paradise featuring extraordinary natural vistas and scenes of great beauty on both a…
Adapting to Modern Design – Repurposing Kuba Cloth
This blog illustrates how long textiles woven by the Kuba people can be re-purposed as tapestries for use in modern interiors.
Endangered Architecture – Toraja Tongkonan
This blog discusses Tongkonan, the ancestral houses of the Toraja people that are becoming architecturally endangered as traditional beliefs fade away
The Power of Proverbs – Ashanti Linguist’s Staffs
In the Ashanti kingdom, royal dignitaries called Akyeame are responsible for relating the king’s words to the people through proverbs , a highly valued oral tradition. To symbolize…