Integrating the old world into the new: an ‘idol from the West Indies’

Joanna Ostapkowicz; Fiona Brock; Alex C. Wiedenhoeft; Rick Schulting; Donatella Saviola

doi:10.15184/aqy.2017.151

Treesearch

Integrating the old world into the new: an ‘idol from the West Indies’

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Joanna Ostapkowicz, Fiona Brock, Alex C. Wiedenhoeft, Rick Schulting, Donatella Saviola

Year:

2017

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Forest Products Laboratory

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2017.151

Source:

Antiquity. 91(359): 1314-1329.

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Abstract

The Pigorini cemí is an icon of Caribbean colonial history, reflecting early trans-Atlantic crosscultural exchanges. Although well documented, the piece has received surprisingly little systematic study. We present the first structural analysis and radiocarbon dating of the sculpture (modelled at AD 1492–1524), and a brief discussion of the materials from which it is comprised. These include indigenous shell and European glass beads, newly identified feather and hair fibres, and the enigmatic rhinoceros-horn mask carved as a human face. We also address the sculpture’s hidden internal wooden base, which is shown to be a non-indigenous display mount made of European willow (Salix sp.).

Keywords

Caribbean, Taino, Pigorini, colonial, contact

Citation

Ostapkowicz, Joanna; Brock, Fiona; Wiedenhoeft, Alex C.; Schulting, Rick; Saviola, Donatella. 2017. Integrating the old world into the new: an ‘idol from the West Indies’. Antiquity. 91(359): 1314-1329.