Moche necklace with gold beads in the shape of toads, 1-800 AD; Peru
all modern jewelry designs are canceled, this is peak aesthetic
this frog necklace from 1000 years ago has the exact same aesthetic as the lego bonsai tree
Overcoat
Unangax̂ (Aleut) of the Aleutian Islands, Alaska
c.1820
Peabody Essex Museum (Object Number: E3662)
Learn more about the Unangax̂ at their website: https://www.apiai.org/
Materials: Mammal intestine, esophagus, hair, and dye. (source)
Judging from the materials it's made of, I would guess that it's waterproof!
Romalda Jojola, Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico
Photographer: G. & H. Photography Date: 1930? Negative Number: 027371
Diné (Navajo) Girl Wearing Silver And Turquoise Squash Blossom Jewelry, 1950
Proud to be Navajo Window Rock, Arizona, 1950 Photo by Harvey Caplin.
Caplin was commissioned by the B.I.A. during the 40's and 50's to "capture and preserve" Indigenous life. His focus during this time was New Mexico and the Four Corners, and photographed landscapes as well as Zuni, Pueblo, and Navajo communities to name a few. Complete catalogues of his work are still sold today.
Frozen fashions #1: Inuit sunglasses against snowblindness made from either ivory from walruses or from wood. These sharp looking things range in age from 100 - 1000 years old.
We made paper versions of these in outdoor school and I’d like everyone to know that these WORK. You end up moving your head a bit more to see things off to your side, but since 99% of what you need to see is really a small range directly in front of you, Inuit Sunglasses make it feel like you’re standing in a darkened room looking out of a window, and reduce eyestrain by a zillion percent.
Plus you look like an awesome interstellar traveler.
Diné (Navajo) Girl Wearing Silver And Turquoise Squash Blossom Jewelry, 1950
Deep in the jungle of Peru, Daniela met shamans who completely changed her life. Her spiritual journey brought her to different places of South and North America.
She has been under the guidance of different indigenous elders and collected rare traditional wind instruments, while also exploring and celebrating her own indigenous ancestry.
Today she lives in California and organises fascinating ceremonies, offerings and retreats. There is where I met her in May.
white people please just purchase native artwork and jewelry from native people i keep seeing idiot white people be like “waaah i wish i could support native creators but its cultural appropriation” girl why would beaders sell you their earrings then. just dont get a medicine wheel or a thunderbird then like damn it is that easy
If Native folks are making it to sell to white people with the approval of their tribe, it’s not “appropriation”–its support and appreciation! So yes, buy that native-made dream catcher, but not the mass produced fakes made by white people. Like, you can go to a pow wow and buy native crafts there, too.
here are some places to get native/indigenous goods and merch online if you can’t find something local or if physical access is an obstacle:
https://sweetgrasstradingco.com/ https://nativeharvest.com/ https://byellowtail.com/ https://www.salishstyle.com/ https://trickstercompany.com/ https://hutxh.com/ https://www.thentvs.com/ https://urbannativeera.com/ https://www.oxdxclothing.com/ https://kotahbear.com/ https://www.totemdesignhouse.com/ https://ginewusa.com/ https://eighthgeneration.com/
and the only native-owned comic shop in the world: https://redplanetbooksncomics.com/
Hopi woman carrying basket, Hopi, Arizona
Photographer: Carl Werntz
Date: 1900?
Negative Number: 037547
Squash blossoms were a sign of fertility in Hopi culture. Squash-blossom hairstyles were worn by adolescent Hopi girls to indicate that they were mature and ready for marriage.
"This consists of two side arrangements which aren't actually buns - they're more loops of hair. The hair is parted in the centre, then wrapped around a U-shaped 'hair bow' made of wood. The hair is wrapped in a figure of eight pattern, then tied at the middle and spread out to create the two semi-circles.” (source)
Lily Gladstone as Mollie Burkhart in Killers of the Flower Moon (Film, 2023).
Friendly reminder that Katara’s “hair loopies” are not a made up creation or a joke they are an actual traditional Inuit hairstyle that should be respected.
Mayan men by David Alan Harvey, 1975
Picture from ᑮᓈᓕᒃ ᐅᓂ ᖃᑲᒥ (Ernie Eetak) of Arviat: “Waiting for seal and bearded seal … I wear all caribou, including caribou antler sun glasses.”
Caribou bone sunglasses may be referring to something like these!
These are a very old style of anti-glare eyewear developed by people in the far north. Instead of glass, it cuts down on the amount of reflected light coming off the snow by only leaving a thin open strip to see out of. These are often made of bone.
Imagine being this dripped out. ALL caribou outfit, INCLUDING the caribou antler sun glasses.
Seal fur thong. 19th century. Inuit in East Greenland
Aztec clothing
Edit: Have been informed that this graphic comes from @zotzart . Apologies, and definitely check out their work!
Gold, black diamonds
Kenneth Johnson is a Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole jewelry designer, living and working in Santa Fe, New Mexico USA.
