African Art - Fragility and Patrimony

Holland Cotter of The New York Times recently published an article covering the tumultuous history of the handling of African artifacts, former and current stances on patrimony in the world of African art, and the dangers facing African antiquities in the future. "Imperiled Legacy for African Art" touches significantly on the fate of the prehistoric Nok terracottas of Nigeria and the centuries-old Djenne sculptural tradition of the Inner Niger Delta of Mali, as well as the present-day destruction of sacred sites by religious militants.

Read the article here.

Seated figure  -  Djenne, Mali

Seated figure  -  Djenne, Mali

Images courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jade Masks of the Maya

The Pinacothèque in Paris is currently presenting Les Masques de Jade Mayas, an exhibition highlighting an astounding and highly important collection of jade mosaic masks which represent one of the most momentous archaeological discoveries in Mexico during the last decade. These exceptional masks, entirely restored by the most eminent specialists in Maya archaeology, represent the faces of deities. Created for the elite rulers of Maya cities, their primary purpose was to guarantee them their bearers eternal life after death.

Visit the exhibition's official website.

Information and images courtesy of Pinacothèque