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Repeating Patterns

Case with a dark grey background and various objects on display.

Repeating Patterns

Cultural Continuity

Culture is the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group. In order for a culture to persist, there are certain things that remain relatively constant over time. Not only do patterns create culture, but culture often creates patterns as well. Items in this case represent artistic and social patterns seen in two very different societies.

  • What patterns stand out to you?
  • What patterns can you identify in your own culture?

The color of the tile is light tan. It has Greek writing or numerals carved into it.

Tile

Turkey/Europe

Stone

While globalization has exacerbated it, there has been movement across continents over millennia, especially with different peoples conquering and trading with one another. As this occurs, there is a cultural exchange. Tiles were common pieces of architecture and artwork, seen in various cultures, so it is not uncommon for them to appear elsewhere. This broken tile depicts Greek writing or numerals on it.

1968.03.100 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology

 

The tile is light tan in color. It has some Greek writing or numerals carved into it.

Tile

Turkey/Europe

Stone

Since ancient times, Greece has been known for their art and architectural influence all across Europe. Tiles were not only used structurally, seen with roofing tiles, but they also emphasized a geometric pattern in the design. Their straight-lined design combined with natural materials, bringing together the organic and the human made.

1968.03.101 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology

 

Transparent dark and light blue beads are attached to a black string with gold accent beads.

Worry Beads

Greece

Glass, Fiber

While not necessarily having religious significance, these beads, also called komboloi, can be manipulated to help pass the time. Although they often use natural materials, their features are notably geometric, emphasizing three dimensional shapes. This set of worry beads goes as far as using multiple shapes, such as cubes, in its design.

L.02.2008 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology

Ornamental head piece made from metal wire and wrapped with colorful string (light blue, red, yellow, blue, white, and purple) the top has red string wrapped around it with pink feathers.

Ornamental Headpiece

Lavongai (New Hanover)

Fabric and Metal

The islands of Papua New Guinea are incredibly diverse and contain over 1,000 cultural groups. Several of these groups participate in celebratory events called Sing Sings. A longstanding tradition of Sing Sings is to tell centuries old stories in dance. During these dances, costumes and ornaments are worn to denote the roles of dancers in these traditional stories.

Donated by Dr. Dorothy Billings

2012.10.097 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology

 

Echoes of Expression: A Cultural Symbolism Collective

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