Splendid Heritage

Perspectives on American Indian Art

by John Warnock

The Splendid Heritage catalog of American Indian artifacts represents the commitment of American collectors to share the beauty and significance of hundreds of ethnographic treasures with a worldwide audience. Originally exhibited as the Akicita Collection at the Southwest Museum and as Splendid Heritage at the Wheelwright and Eiteljorg Museums, the expanded collection of artifacts will be on display at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts beginning in February 2009.

This catalog became a reality through the thoughtful, collaborative efforts of John and Marva Warnock and several collectors of rare and unusual artifacts, the majority of which were produced by Plains and Eastern Woodlands cultures. Their passionate respect and attention to detail is reflected in descriptions and provenance for every artifact, presented in magnificent full-page color images and accompanied by essays from internationally recognized scholars and curators. The contributors celebrate the artifacts not merely for their singular qualities as fine art, but also for their significance in the religious and political lives of their original owners.

Matoska Trading Company commentary:
Although this collection has been documented previously including a completely different book of the same name, this book is extraordinary. The photography is exquisite, allowing close inspection of each item. The collection itself is one of the best in existence and nearly every item is among the best in its class. If you are a student of Plains Indian art, this is a book you should certainly add to your library.

223 pp ~ illustrated — ©2009