Art of Africa, the Americas and the Pacific Collection October 19, 2008

The origins of the African collection, both Northern and Sub-Saharan, can be traced back to the Museum's earliest days, when the Museum's founder, John Cotton Dana, traveled to North Africa and encouraged others to collect on their travels as well. In addition to fine examples of African sculpture, including noteworthy pieces from the Yoruba, the collection has important holdings of ceramics, baskets and metal arts, with a growing emphasis on African textiles, including commemorative cloths. In 1913, examples of Southwest pottery began the Native American collection. Today it consists of outstanding late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century pottery and textiles. Covering all areas of North America, including Alaska, it incorporates jewelry, baskets, wood carving and quill and bead work. Objects from New Guinea, including masks and ceremonial boards, are among the highlights of the collections of the Pacific Basin.