Telescopes; Scientific apparatus and instruments; 19th century
A telescope is a magnifying tool used to look at distant objects. Historically, they have been used to look at objects on land, sea, and in space. This telescope was made by Spencer in Glasgow, Scotland around 1880, and was possibly used for...
Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Northwest Coast of North America; Haida indians; Haida Indians -- Social life and customs; Implements, utensils, etc.; Sheep; Mountain Goat; 19th Century
For hundreds of years the Northwest Coast cultures used their abundant natural resources to create useful objects. Spoons were made from the horns of both sheep and mountain goat. They were used to transfer ceremonial food from serving bowls and...
Indians of South America; Indians of South America -- Social life and customs; Caraja Indians; Initiation rites; Brazil; Headgear; Indians of South America -- Clothing; Clothing and dress
The Karaja Peoples reside in the lowlands of the Matto Grosso of Brazil. They are well known for their ceramic dolls, baskets, and feathered objects. This particular headdress is called a lori-lori and consists of rosettes of feathers attached to a...
Indians of South America; Indians of South America --Social life and customs; Indians of South America --Amazon River Region; Masks; Brazil; Indian dance--South America
Known as a "Tapirape upe", or enemy warrior mask, this mask is decorated with the feathers of macaw and other parrots, as well as with freshwater mother-of-pearl shell, bone, wood, fiber and beeswax. These natural materials are found in...
The walleye gets its name because of the particular coloring of its pearlescent eye, which is caused by a reflective layer of pigments. This allows the fish to feed at night or in murky water. They are a freshwater fish, and can be found in the...
Microscopes; Scientific apparatus and instruments; 1900s; Bowen, Otis R.
A microscope is a magnifying tool used to look at very small objects. They are often used by people studying or working in the fields of biological and medical sciences. This microscope was made by Bausch and Lomb around 1900. It originally...
Eskimos; Eskimos -- Alaska; Eskimos -- Alaska -- Social life and customs; Balls (Sporting goods); Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Sports
Traditionally, games of strength and endurance were played by the Alaskan Eskimo or Inuit and they did not require objects. Early contact with explorers introduced ball games that were sometimes adapted to fit the Alaskan Eskimo environment. This...
Peru; Peru -- Antiquities; Chimu indians; Storage jars; Pottery; Indians of South America; Indians of South America -- Social life and customs
The Chimú, coastal peoples of ancient Peru often represented sea imagery in their art and everyday objects. This vessel represents a sting ray. The Chimú created ceramic vessels from molds, enabling them to make mass amounts of them quickly....
Pagodas; Models and modelmaking; China; Soapstone; Architecture -- China
Chinese architecture relies on symmetry and balance. Buddhist temples, other than the Great Wall of China, are among the most recognizable architecture in China. The pagoda is a type of Buddhist building that mainly housed sacred objects. These...
