Native American Figurines

When someone speaks of Native American figurines, a whole range of different artistic styles come to mind.

There are the colorful birds, fishes and humans, fierce and angular, carved by northwest tribes. There’s the smooth and sinuous Kokopelli flute player, fertility deity of the Southwestern United States. The simple rounded pottery figurines of the Pueblo tribes contrast sharply with the intricate and detailed religious Hopi Kachinas but are no less appealing. Algonquian soapstone figurines and the glossy carvings of the Inuit, crafted from serpentine, whalebone, alabaster, and other materials, are yet another style.

Native American collectibles of other kinds abound as well, in fact some of these have become so familiar to us that it seems we have thoroughly adopted them into western culture. Dreamcatchers are beautiful and capture the imagination in a way no other dream lore has ever done. Medicine wheels are similarly popular, and in recent years the circle of friends, a pre-Columbian art form, has appeared in innumerable creative styles. For many people, Native American figurines and other collectibles evoke a time long gone when life was simpler and people lived in harmony with both nature and the supernatural.

When you are shopping for Native American collectibles, you’ll need to decide not only what artistic style you are looking for, but also whether you want a genuine collectible created by a Native American artist, or a less expensive reproduction.

Today, North America’s aboriginals work to preserve the art and beliefs of their ancestors while recognizing the increasing interest that others have in acquiring Native American figurines and other art pieces. Typically, they work with traditional materials and find their inspiration in traditional designs, thus keeping the art form alive and true to its origins. This genuine artwork, however, has genuine value and the prices reflect as much.

Many internet web sites sell both genuine Native American collectibles (in most cases, if the item you are considering comes with the name and tribal origin of the artist, it is likely to be genuine) and the more cheaply made reproductions. Just because something is a reproduction, however, doesn’t mean that it’s of poor quality. Reproductions of many of the world’s great works of art are commonplace—they provide their owners with great pleasure, just as the originals would. We can’t all own original Native American figurines, but we can all enjoy them nonetheless.

Native American collectibles are found all across North America in countless department stores, shops, boutiques, and galleries. To get a good idea of the range of what’s available, however, the best place to shop is on the internet. Many artists who create Native American figurines, jewelry, pottery, carvings and other items have their own web sites or sell their pieces through other retail web sites.

Whether it’s a small medicine wheel you want, for about $15, or a breathtaking Inuit sculpture costing well over $1000, you’ll find examples on the internet and information about how to order the collectible of your dreams.

And there’s no hurry or pressure—native artists practice their craft slowly and carefully and, with internet shopping, you can approach your purchase in the same way.