Decorative Art of the Southwestern Indians: 290 Copyright-free Design Motifs for Artists and Craftsmen [First Edition] [SOLD]

Drawings by Dorothy Smith Sides. Annotations by Mrs. Frederick Robinson Smith. Foreword by Dr. Frederick Webb Hodge, Director Southwest Museum.

Mrs. Dorothy Smith Sides, a noted artist and collector, gathered together and drew in full color nearly 300 examples of the finest authentic Southwestern Indian decorations that she had seen in a lifetime of study. She did not limit her selection to one period or style, however, to make her book as useful as possible, she selected material ranging from the 13th century great geometric art of the pueblos to the handcrafts carried on by the nomadic and Pueblo peoples of the present.

Each of the 50 plates is printed on heavy stock paper, suitable for framing, if desired. A 14-page booklet accompanies the plates, outlining the contents of the plates in Index form.

The entire package is boxed in a leather-bound folder that is still in good condition, although the leather locking strap is very worn.

Note: to see the first plate, click on the second detail image link above.

More about the book from the back cover of the reprint edition:

The decorative art of the Indians of the American Southwest has long been recognized as one of the most beautiful art traditions in the primitive world. It demonstrates a technical skill with simple materials, a symbolic richness, and a faculty for creating rich effects by the imaginative use of ornament that are all almost unique. Museums use Pueblo ceramics for display pieces, and modern artists and craftsmen have turned eagerly to the handwork of prehistoric Indian women for inspiration and working ideas.

Mrs. Dorothy Sides, a noted artist and collector, has gathered together and redrawn in black and white nearly 300 examples of the finest authentic Southwestern Indian decoration that she has seen in a lifetime of study. She has not limited her selection to one period or style, however; to make her book as useful as possible, she has selected material ranging from the 13th century great geometric art of the Pueblos to the handcrafts carried on by the nomadic and Pueblo peoples of the present.

The main emphasis of this volume is on ceramic decoration, and Mrs. Sides includes pieces from the rich archeological sites of Pecos, Sikyatki, the Mimbres, and modern Pueblo pottery from Acoma, Zuni, Cochiti, and the Hopi. She also includes designs and motifs from the basketry of the Apache, Pima, and Papago; beadwork from the Mohave; authentic Zuni masks; Hopi kachina dolls; and sand paintings and blanket designs from the Navajo. This broad coverage of beautiful ornament illustrates many different art styles, to fit every situation: geometric designs based upon balanced mirror fields of design, symbolic figures of the thunderbird, and modern stylizations. All is beautiful and imaginative.

Any craftsman working with ceramics will find this book indispensable as a source of rich, easily used, powerful design; workers in wood, weavers, metalworkers, and leatherworkers will find that it will enlarge their decorative resources considerably. It also offers unusual and eye-catching designs for commercial artists who wish to do work suggesting travel, handcrafts, the Southwest, or the social sciences. Individual drawings are copyright free and may be reproduced without fee or permission.