Six Savvy Shopping Tips -provided by the Anchorage Museum of History and Art Native-made arts and crafts are beautiful and distinctive reminders of a well-enjoyed trip to Alaska. Take home a beloved piece of Alaskan culture by knowing what to look for in authentic Native art.
Check for Authenticity The shop or gallery where you purchase a piece should be able to tell you the artist's name, cultural background, village or region of origin. Look for the Silver Hand Emblem - a respected endorsement that symbolizes authentic Alaska Native handicrafts.
Look for Mastery of Technique In baskets, for example, the tighter the weave and more symmetrical the shape, the higher quality the piece.
Notice the Piece's "Finish." Carvings - whether ivory, wood, whalebone or soapstone - should have a finish that is appropriate to the piece. Smooth or textured, the finish should enhance the look of the piece.
Look for a Clean Design An item carefully made enhances its design. Stitches should be neat on beadwork and skin-sewing, such as tolls.
Materials Should be Legal Things used in creating the piece, such as feathers on masks, should be legal to own. Most Native-made pieces feature ptarmigan, turkey or pheasant feathers, which comply with the Migratory Bird Act. Eagle and duck feathers do not.
Notice Tradition or Innovation Some pieces - like carvings of mythical animals or figures hunting, fishing or dancing - reflect the tradition of artist's culture and stand as hallmarks of a particular heritage. Others, like many whalebone sculptures, showcase innovation by incorporating contemporary sculptural shapes into a traditional art medium
While the above are good points to keep in mind, people should not discredit their own feelings about a piece of art.
Alaska Native arts and crafts are featured in several galleries throughout Anchorage as well as the Museum Shop at the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Heritage Gifts at the Alaska Native Heritage Center, and the Alaska Native Medical Center Craft Shop on Tudor Road.
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