Another North American Indian composite bow?
Dear Friends,
http://clevelandmemory.org/Hungarians/pg077i.htm
This is a drawing of John Xantus, explorer, railroad cartographer and zoologist, that appeared in the book "The Weaponry of North American Indians" (1856) on the results of an ethnographic research carried out by him and Dr. William A. Hammond among the native Americans in the 1850s.
In the middle of the drawing there are two bows. The upper and smaller one seems to be a rather simple bow, however, the lower and bigger one seems to be more sophisticated. For my untrained eyes it has a lot of common features with a chinese bow of the last century. May I ask for your comments, please?
Thanks in advance,
Jeno
http://clevelandmemory.org/Hungarians/pg077i.htm
This is a drawing of John Xantus, explorer, railroad cartographer and zoologist, that appeared in the book "The Weaponry of North American Indians" (1856) on the results of an ethnographic research carried out by him and Dr. William A. Hammond among the native Americans in the 1850s.
In the middle of the drawing there are two bows. The upper and smaller one seems to be a rather simple bow, however, the lower and bigger one seems to be more sophisticated. For my untrained eyes it has a lot of common features with a chinese bow of the last century. May I ask for your comments, please?
Thanks in advance,
Jeno
Jeno; This is a miserable illustration made to titilate the reader with fanciful geegaws. An African knife, upper left, smaller turkish bow, a larger one looking like a Persian metal bow, complete with decorations.
I ask if that shield looks like any in a museum that you have seen?
Most all Am. Indian ethnographers delt in staging. Among the best is Curtis. Forty thousand of his photos are in the Smithsonian. You may see Indians of all unrelated tribes wearing the EXACT SAME headdress. It is known that he traveled with entire wagonloads of costumes!!!
If the Indians were not interesting enough, just dress them up. Scathing for the student of ethnography! A Shame. Jack.
I ask if that shield looks like any in a museum that you have seen?
Most all Am. Indian ethnographers delt in staging. Among the best is Curtis. Forty thousand of his photos are in the Smithsonian. You may see Indians of all unrelated tribes wearing the EXACT SAME headdress. It is known that he traveled with entire wagonloads of costumes!!!
If the Indians were not interesting enough, just dress them up. Scathing for the student of ethnography! A Shame. Jack.
Jeno; if you want to know, the finest of all Am. Indian ethnographers was Karl Bodmer, a professionally trained Swiss watercolor artist. His paintings are photorealism. They were done on the site, many not completely finished. You may identify the species of bird from his paintings of feathers. There is no dressing of models. He also illustrated bows, arrows and quivers. PEOPLE OF THE FIRST MAN is a nearly complete volume of his watercolors in America. i bought a copy recently for a friend for only $10.
His later etchings, done years later and by others, lack the 100% authenticity of the origionals. Bodmer stands head and shoulders above the others. Jack
His later etchings, done years later and by others, lack the 100% authenticity of the origionals. Bodmer stands head and shoulders above the others. Jack
Jack,
Thanks for the replies.
Best regards,
okuz
Thanks for the replies.
Best regards,
okuz