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Artist/Maker
Unknown artist
Datec. 1900
MediumTerracotta with paint
DimensionsOverall (at shoulder): 10 1/2 × 11 × 11 in. (26.7 × 27.9 × 27.9 cm)
Overall (at mouth): 10 1/2 × 6 1/2 × 6 1/2 in. (26.7 × 16.5 × 16.5 cm)
Credit LineTransferred from the Knox Hall of Natural History, Hamilton College
Object number1984.519
On view
DescriptionIn 1883, Hamilton College remodeled its Wunderkammer, or “Cabinet,” as the Knox Hall of Natural History, where collections of minerals and specimens of flora and fauna were exhibited in vitrines in two large rooms and used for the teaching of science. Ten years later, the Hamilton Literary Monthly noted that, in addition to that material, the Cabinet contained a large collection of “Indian relics” presented “from time to time” by Asahel Norton Brockway, Class of 1857. In addition to Brockway’s gifts, the Native American cultural objects contained in Knox Hall had likely been acquired by alumni—many of whom traveled west in a missionary capacity—over the course of the second half of the nineteenth century. The cultures of the American Southwest, Canadian Northwest, and American Plains were well represented through vessels, apparel, and tools. Some of the alumni noted as having given objects to Knox Hall are Henry Kendall, Class of 1840, who contributed a feast dish from the Northwest Coast; Benjamin W. Arnold, Class of 1886, who donated a number of baskets; and James H. Glass, H1912. Upon the opening of the Emerson Gallery, a number of the divergent collections on campus were transferred there for safekeeping, including more than one hundred Native American objects that had formerly been displayed in Knox Hall, which closed in 1925, and were subsequently stored in the Anthropology Department. Several of them are reproduced here and on the following spread. (SOURCE: Alcauskas, INNOVATIVE APPROACHES, HONORED TRADITIONS, 2017)
Large clay vessel with black, cream, and red decoration, with 'C' design inside lip. Said to be from New Mexico. Probably once had a lid - now missing.
Collections
Additional Details
Exhibition History
2017
Clinton, NY (Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College). "Innovative Approaches, Honored Traditions: The Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art at Five Years, Highlights from the Permanent Collection," September 9 - December 10, 2017 (cat. no. 44, illus.);
2011
Clinton, NY (Fred L. Emerson Gallery, Hamilton College). "Learning to Look: Hamilton's Cabinets, Galleries and Museums Past, Present and Future," September 15 - December 16, 2011 (no cat.).
Clinton, NY (Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College). "Innovative Approaches, Honored Traditions: The Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art at Five Years, Highlights from the Permanent Collection," September 9 - December 10, 2017 (cat. no. 44, illus.);
2011
Clinton, NY (Fred L. Emerson Gallery, Hamilton College). "Learning to Look: Hamilton's Cabinets, Galleries and Museums Past, Present and Future," September 15 - December 16, 2011 (no cat.).
Provenance
1984: Hamilton College (Emerson Gallery), by transfer from the Anthropology Department;
by 1979 - 1984: Hamilton College (Anthropology Department), by transfer from the Knox Hall of Natural History;
by 1925: Hamilton College (Knox Hall of Natural History), by gift from an unknown donor (research pending).
by 1979 - 1984: Hamilton College (Anthropology Department), by transfer from the Knox Hall of Natural History;
by 1925: Hamilton College (Knox Hall of Natural History), by gift from an unknown donor (research pending).
Markings
Adhesive label on bottom in handwritten ink: NA-SW 4
Published References
Katherine D. Alcauskas, INNOVATIVE APPROACHES, HONORED TRADITIONS: THE RUTH AND ELMER WELLIN MUSEUM OF ART AT FIVE YEARS, HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION (Clinton, NY: Wellin Museum of Art, 2017), p. 120.
Inscribed
Inscribed in ink on bottom: E130
Unknown artist
Date: c. 1825-50
Medium: Wood with paint and abalone
Object number: 1984.470
Unknown artist
Date: c. 1850-1900
Medium: Mountain sheep horn
Object number: 1984.466
Unknown artist
Date: c. 750-600 BCE
Medium: Terracotta
Object number: 2015.6.2
Unknown artist
Date: c. 6th-8th century CE
Medium: Terracotta
Object number: 2015.6.49
Unknown artist
Date: c. 4th-5th century CE
Medium: Blown glass with trailing
Object number: 2015.6.30
Unknown artist
Date: c. 883-859 BCE
Medium: Gypsum with remnants of red pigment
Object number: 1868.5
Unknown artist
Date: c. 610-650 CE
Medium: Terracotta
Object number: 2015.6.5
Tony Feher
Date: 1996
Medium: Plastic bottles, water, food dye, wire and rope
Object number: 2012.3.4