Ceramics are a major theme in African art. Not only are they beautiful, but they are functional – used for carrying water, cooking, and other domestic chores. The ceramic containers featured are currently on display at the National Museum of African Art at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. I encourage everyone who has an opportunity to visit DC to take a trip to this wonderfully sacred space and learn about the creative traditions of our ancestors.
A high point of any museum trip is discovering what little lovely trinkets are available in the museum shop. I thought that the items below would make great gifts.
The Eye of Horus necklace.
Egyptian deities on papyrus.
Silver and lacquer animal napkin rings.
For information on current exhibits, visit the National Museum of African Art’s website at africa.si.edu.
Photography by Ajua Hawkins.
Copyright 2014 Ajua Hawkins
