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Five Tips for Buying Native American Art Used in Southwest Decor

By Craig Chambers

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 04Aug2009 Word count: 545 Viewed: 355 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

While art in general is beautiful, Native American art found in Southwest decor is distinctive, rich in culture while telling a story. Various Indian tribes use natural materials to create amazing pieces of pottery, paintings, furniture, rugs, blankets, dolls, and other treasures that people who appreciate a rustic decorum use. For instance, certain shapes are commonly found among southwest art to include stripes, geometric shapes, and diamonds.

For hundreds of years, people in the United States have enjoyed the different types of art that come from the Native Americans. A great example of what these people create is a Kokopelli painting or figurine, which is representative of a primary fertility god. Used as a part of religious landscape and often the center of attention for dolls and paintings, the Kokopelli is still worshiped by many Native Americans.

No matter the type of art that you are most interested in to complete your Southwest decor, it is important to know what to look for so you end up with an authentic piece that could be passed down from one generation to the next. Remember that southwest art comes in many different forms to include sand paintings, Kachina doll, pottery, woven rugs, baskets, storytellers, and the list goes on.

1. Even if you pay a little more, it would be worth the investment to buy only authentic artwork, something that comes directly from the actual artist. That way, you know the piece has been created with passion, being a true reflection of the past for the ultimate addition to your Southwest decor. Keep in mind, to own a gorgeous piece of art such as this you do not have to spend thousands of dollars. In fact, some of the lesser-known artists design and make gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces and to get their name out there, they sell at low prices.

2. If you want to purchase a Kachina doll, basket, pottery, rug, etc to go with your Southwest decor, it would be worth learning about the construction and materials used. That way, you would be able to identify quality. You can always ask questions specific to the trademark used by the artist to ensure you buy something genuine.

3. Even researching the artist of the Native American piece is important. Most often, the internet provides all the details needed so you can understand the person's history, as well as what other buyers have to say. However, there is nothing wrong with getting in touch with the tribe of which the artist belongs, so as you add the art to your Southwest decor, you have better appreciation.

4. Buying from a reputable artist or dealer is important as well. Most often, an honest and legitimate dealer of art used in Southwest decor comes with both s certification number and guarantee. That way, if something were to break or not meet high standards, the western piece could be returned or exchanged.

5. Finally, a 1990 law was passed called The Indian Arts and Crafts Act, which states that artists and dealers of Native American art must be truthful about the pieces of art being sold. Therefore, you are not purchasing something that was misrepresented. The key to beautiful Southwest decor is displaying authentic pieces of art and under this law, you as the consumer have protection.

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