Current Temporary Exhibition
 

Earth and Fire: Ceramic Beads from Around the World
October 2007 - July 2008

                      
ceramic beads from Africa                  “Morning Glory” by Sarah Seiter.

The story of ceramics may begin as early as 30,000 years ago during the Paleolithic Age (500,000 B.C. to 10,000 B.C.) Archaeologists have found small clay figures from that time in Eastern Europe. Ceramics have been made for centuries in numerous cultures around the world. The Chinese have been making ceramics since 8000 B.C. while in Egypt and the Middle East the ceramic tradition goes back to 6500 B.C. Most cultures of Mexico, Central and South America had potters by 1400 B.C. The ancient pueblo people of the American Southwest made pottery ca. 500 A.D. While ceramics began as utilitarian ware, over time it became a very popular bead making material. Our exhibition Earth and Fire: Ceramic Beads from Around the World showcases some of the many different types of ceramic beads in The Bead Museum Collection.

                 
porcelain bead by Joyce Whitaker        flat vase beads by Hilda Cortiz, Acoma Pueblo