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Location: National Museum of the American Indian

Connections between the southwestern U.S. and Mesoamerica are revealed in these vessels featuring parrots or macaws and a merchant

Paquimé jars

by Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank and Dr. Steven Zucker

Detail, Anishinaabe outfit — This outfit was likely made for a British lieutenant and gifted to him in a ritual exchange to show mutual respect.

Global trade and an 18th-century Anishinaabe outfit

by Dr. David W. Penney, National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution and Dr. Steven Zucker

Gorget, c. 1250-1350, probably Middle Mississippian Tradition, whelk shell, 10 x 2 cm (National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution, 18/853) — Found marking the grave of an important individual, this gorget was worn as a neck ornament during life.

Mississippian shell neck ornament (gorget)

by Dr. David W. Penney, National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution and Dr. Beth Harris

Nampeyo (Hopi-Tewa), polychrome jar, c. 1930s, clay and pigment, 13 x 21 cm (National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution). — Nampeyo found inspiration from the old to create a pottery style that was entirely new and highly sought after.

Nampeyo (Hopi-Tewa), polychrome jar

by Dr. David W. Penney, National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution and Dr. Steven Zucker

Julian Martinez, Buffalo Dancers — Martinez’s distinctive style developed from studying Southwestern pottery and Modernist abstraction.

Julian Martinez, Buffalo Dancers

by Dr. Suzanne Newman Fricke

The artist used Spanish coins as models for the coats of arms woven into this basket in California, then New Spain.

Juana Basilia Sitmelelene, Presentation Basket (Chumash)

by Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank and Dr. Steven Zucker