California Indian Basketry: Ikons of the Florescence - Softcover

Thompson, Wayne A.; Meieran, Eugene S.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1941384528 ISBN 13: 9781941384527

Publisher: Sunbelt Pubns, 2021

Synopsis

This richly illustrated photographic overview captures the beauty and artistry of the remarkable world-class, Native American Indian baskets of California, circa 1895 to 1940, known as the Florescence or Flowering. It is a tribute to these artisans and includes biographical snapshots of weavers and portraits of their masterpiece California Indian baskets, which today exist in museums and private collections throughout the United States. Collecting highly complex and artistic Native American baskets became a successful tourist business in the late 19th and early 20th century -- tourism in the United States exploded as a result of the expansion of the railway system to hitherto relatively inaccessible locations. This new business benefitted both collectors of this art form and the weavers who created them. The transition from woven baskets used for utilitarian use to more durable and less expensive metal cookware and storage vessels allowed weavers the time needed to innovate and create baskets specifically catering to tourist interests. During this period of Florescence, some of the world's most intricate, beautiful, and artistic baskets were woven, particularly by highly-talented weavers representing several Native American tribes located throughout California.

About this title

About the Author

Wayne A. Thompson developed his interest in the history of the American West over a 50-year period, beginning with his fascination for minerals that he began collecting in early childhood. He expanded his interests to include collecting fossils and Native American artifacts. Today, his world-class collections contain some of the finest mineral specimens and Pueblo ceramic pottery, many of which now reside in museums and private collections all over the world. When Wayne turned his attention to the study and collecting of masterpieces of Native American California and Arizona coiled baskets, he became a recognized expert in this area also and is often consulted by museums, collectors, dealers, and academics. Wayne is the author of several articles and books. He currently lives in Phoenix with his wife Malee and daughter Stevia. Eugene S. Meieran graduated from MIT in materials science with a Doctor of Science degree (ScD) and received an honorary doctorate degree from Purdue University and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Eugene was involved in the decision to fuel and launch Apollo 12, the second lunar landing, and is a retired Intel Senior Fellow with numerous publications. He is also an avid collector of fine minerals and crystals as well as Pueblo ceramic art. Eugene is currently President of the Board of the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals in Hillsboro, Oregon, and the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum in Tucson, Arizona. He is married to ceramic artist Rosalind Meieran and has two children. Alan P. Garfinkel is a noted scholar principally recognized as an anthropologist/archaeologist known worldwide for his work with indigenous people and for his studies of Native American religion, world view, and art in California, the Great Basin, American Southwest, and Mesoamerica. Alan received his PhD from the University of California, Davis. Alan has authored 16 books and published over 100 scientific articles in various academic journals. He is also the recipient of both the 2008 and 2011 California State Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation. He serves as founder and president of the California Rock Art Foundation and lives in Bakersfield with his wife and children

Edition details

• Publisher: Sunbelt Pubns
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1941384528
• ISBN 13: 9781941384527
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 332
• Editor: Garfinkel Alan P.