The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-03-30


Aztecs.
Cortez' conquest of Mexico becomes like q
war of yesterday In view Of the richly beautiful
objects Of Aztec art In the archaeological collec-
tions In the third story. Here may be seen what
is unquestionably the finest specimen of Aztec
mosaic extant-a shield of cedar inlaid with IA
600 pieces Of turquoise. The design ITSELF though
only foot in diameter, represents the whole
range Of great art numbered among the lost
crafts. This shed was evidently carried in a
procession Of ceremony and, according to Profes-
sor Marshall III. Saville, Of the museum was en-
ployed IN the worship. of the planet Venus.
Ecuador Of the ancient days Is made to live again
in the most representative collection Of the kind
in the world. feature of II is a score or so of
ancient ceremonial seats of stone, not unlike those
used by the Greeks and Romans of the classic
period.
South America Is also represented by an extraor>
dinary fabric from Peru, which probably old
at the time Pizarro subjugated the stronghold of
the Incas. Unique exhibits from Brazil and Ven
ezuea also view.
In the acct [ Of the voyages of Columbus there
is descriptUa of the carved paddles used by
the natives who came In canoes to greet the first
white men. The museum has a paddle, found In
a sealed cave In Cuba, which is believed to be of
that period. Cuba also contributes rare mono
lithic axe that is an axe all Of stone, instead of
a head with a wooden handle. One of the most
important features Of the institution Is the nu-
merous connecting links which II furnishes between
the various cultures, ages of stone flint and iron
which existed here at the time Of the discovery
on one hand and the civilization Of the present
day on the other.
"The trustees Of the museum" said Mr. Heye.
swish to mako II clear. that the objects which
are assembled here, are Of great practical value,
aside from the historical and archaeological interest
attaching to them This is realized, for instance,
by many manufacturers Of textiles, who have been
making use of Ideas gained from collections.
They have been sending their designers here even
before the museum was officially open and they
inform Us that they have found the inspiration Of
many new designs which we're adapted from what
was seen there. We think also that the textile
Industry will find data to guide II in dyeng opera
tions, as many Of the objects here, centuries old.
were dyed with vegetable colors which to all ap-
pearances are as fresh as they were when first
applied We believe also, that although modern
machinery has outdstanced the Indian craftsnea
in speed, that the Industries Of the Twentieth CEN
tury Will find many hints In the synoptic exhibit
tions Of basketry, ceramics and carving which we
have installed. In every way the desire to serve
the public is uppermost"
The board of the museum consists of Harmon
W. Hendricks James b. Ford, r. Kingsbury Cur
tiss Archer NJ. Huntington. Minor O. Keith, Clar.
ence b. Moore, f. X. Seward and Samuel Riker
Jr Mr.. Heye, also a trustee. is chairman.
No. of the pictures is new portrait of Crow
Chief, an Arapahoe, who is said to be 118 years
Of age. No. Is the museum No. 8 Is a big
wooden feast dish Of the KwakuIdi Indians. Van
couver Island, b. O. No. Is a large wooden ng-
ure from potlatch house of the same Indiana
No. 8 IL Hopi doll. No. 9 Is a Hopi woman weav-
ing baskets. No. Z shows shrunken body -
inches long, reduced to its present size by strange
process used by the Jvaro Indians Of Ecuadogj
after the bones had bern re~.oved.