Native American mosaic and inlay art
Native American mosaic and inlay art is a rich and diverse form of artistic expression that utilizes small pieces of materials, including stone, glass, and shells, to create intricate designs and decorative objects. This art form has historical significance across various Indigenous cultures, particularly in Mesoamerica, the Southwest, and the Northwest regions of North America. In Mesoamerica, cultures such as the Maya, Mixtec, and Aztec employed mosaic techniques for ceremonial purposes, creating funeral masks, shields, and architectural embellishments using materials like turquoise and jade.
In North America, the Tlingit people are noted for their inlaid abalone shell headdresses, while the ancient Anasazi created turquoise mosaic pendants. The Pueblo Indians and Zuni are recognized for their colorful shell mosaics in jewelry, and the Navajo are famed for their silver and turquoise craftsmanship, including squash blossom necklaces. The use of turquoise, particularly in the Southwest, is prominent due to its cultural and mystical significance, symbolizing both the sky and water. Meanwhile, in the Northwest, abalone shell is a favored material for inlay. Overall, this art form reflects the unique cultural identities and traditions of Indigenous peoples, showcasing their creativity and craftsmanship through vibrant and meaningful artworks.
Native American mosaic and inlay art
Tribes affected: Aztec, Carib, Chichimec, Maya, Mixtec, Navajo, Olmec, Pueblo, Tlingit, Zapotec, Zuni
Significance: Mosaic and inlay were used for decorative purposes by Indians prior to European contact and continue to be used by modern Indians
Mosaic is an art form using small pieces of stone, glass, tile, or other materials such as feathers and straw to form a decorative design or picture. Used for such things as masks, jewelry, and architecture, mosaic art was common among the Indians of Mesoamerica, the Southwest, and the Northwest.
In Mesoamerica, mosaic and inlay were used by the Maya Indians for funeral masks—small pieces of turquoise, jade, red and white shells, and mother-of-pearl were glued to a wooden base and buried with the deceased. The Mixtec Indians made ceremonial shields by covering a ceramic base with cut and polished turquoise stones. They also covered the interior and exterior of buildings with precisely patterned tiled mosaics. The Zapotec decorated their cultural center with stone mosaics in zigzag patterns. The Aztecs made feathered mosaic shields for their commanders and chiefs. Ceilings, floors, walls, pavements, and walkways were often covered with tiled mosaics. Some exterior walls had patterns inlaid on them using cut stones that were cemented in the walls like bricks.
In North America, the Tlingit of the Northwest made headdress frontlets and hats carved out of cedar and inlaid with abalone shells. In the Southwest, the ancient Anasazi were known to have made turquoise mosaic pendants. The Pueblo Indians and Zuni made jewelry and pendants with colored shell mosaics. After the Spanish conquest, the Pueblo made crosses with inlays. The Navajo are known for making silver and turquoise jewelry, such as the squash blossom necklaces, bracelets, and small silver boxes, using turquoise stones inlaid in polished silver forms. Twentieth century Zuni jewelry uses mosaic patterns of stones and shells in turquoise and white, red and black.
Turquoise was the most commonly used stone in mosaic design and inlay in the Southwest and Mesoamerica because of its availability and also because of its mystical association with both the sky and water. In the Northwest region, abalone shell was most commonly used for inlay.