The Pen is Mightier

It’s always satisfying to discover those direct connections between the Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation archival records and the objects that came into the museum during its many years in New York City. Some of my favorite examples of these links are pen and ink drawings made by collectors of the objects that ended up in the MAI collections. Below are some of my favorites that I’ve found. The bulk of the drawings and objects are from the Hendricks-Hodge Hawikku Expedition (1917-1923). There are hundreds more ink drawings of pots, jars and other pottery found in the exploration and excavation of the historic Zuni Villages funded by the MAI, Heye Foundation. 

Left Image: MAI, Heye Foundation Records. Oklahoma: Grand River Canoe Expedition, M.R. Harrington, 1908. Box 189, Folder 8. Right Image: Drill collected by M.R. Harrington. Object number 04/0202. Photo by NMAI Photo Services.

Left Image: MAI, Heye Foundation Records. Frederick Hodge: Hawikuh Pottery Ink Drawings. Box 253, Folder 20. Right Image: Jar from Hawikku (Hawikuh) Pueblo ruins. Object number 06/6453. Photo by NMAI Photo Services.

Left Image: MAI, Heye Foundation Records. Frederick Hodge: Hawikuh Pottery Ink Drawings. Box 253, Folder 20. Right Image: Jar from Hawikku (Hawikuh) Pueblo ruins. Object number 07/7145. Photo by NMAI Photo Services.

Left Image: MAI, Heye Foundation Records. Frederick Hodge: Hawikuh Pottery Ink Drawings. Box 253, Folder 20. Right Image: Vessel Fragment from Hawikku (Hawikuh) Pueblo ruins. Object number 08/6476. Photo by NMAI Photo Services.

Left Image: MAI, Heye Foundation Records. Frederick Hodge: Hawikuh Pottery Ink Drawings. Box 253, Folder 18. Right Image: Jar from Hawikku (Hawikuh) Pueblo ruins. Object number 09/7200. Photo by NMAI Photo Services.

Left Image: MAI, Heye Foundation Records. Frederick Hodge: Hawikuh Pottery Ink Drawings. Box 253, Folder 18. Right Image: Jar from Hawikku (Hawikuh) Pueblo ruins. Object number 09/7201. Photo by NMAI Photo Services.

Left Image: MAI, Heye Foundation Records. Donald B. Cordry: Huichol Catalog Notes. Box 212, Folder 07. Right Image: Zoque Dance wand used in the dance of San Roque. Object number 20/3859. Photo by NMAI Photo Services

Rachel Menyuk, Archives Technician

NMAI Archive Center