The collection of Pre-Columbian art donated to the National Museum by Mr. & Mrs. Heeramaneck is of high quality and represents all the principal cultures of pre-Columbian world. In 1492 Christopher Columbus discovered this new world which he thought of South Asia and gave the name "Indians" to its people. The collection includes pieces of art from Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and other countries of South America. In both the regions, archaeology has traced back the origins of human habitation with knowledge of agriculture and ceramics to about 3000 B.C. The Olmec culture of Mexico, generally dated to 1200 B.C., is characterised by colossal stone sculptures representing human heads as well as small sculptures in jade and other hard stones. However, a few of them have also been dated from 100 B.C. to 100 A.D. These people are credited with the origin of writing, numerals, the astronomically-based calendar and the dating system which were adopted by other Mexican and Central American people in the succeeding centureis. As represented here, the Totonec, the Maya, the Zapotec, and the Aztec people, all are famous for erecting outstanding architecture in stone and producing a wide range of art objects including stone sculptures, potery, terracotta figurines, mural paintings, metal objects and illustrated manuscripts. Other Non-Indian Artefacts : Indonesian Art: Islam, Hindu and Buddhist are three religions-that have influenced the art of Indonesia, and this is discernible from the four sculpturees displayed in this gallery. Since Shaivism was once quite popular in Indonesia, some of Durga Mahisasuramardini's images have also been found there. The image of the ten-armed goddess standing on the buffalo demon and the images of Ganesha and Bhatarguru demonstrate the Indian influence on Indonasian Art. Iranian Art : The collections of ceramics from Sialk and Tepe Giyan and bronzes from Luristan are interesting. Outstanding among the ceramics are whitish grey storage jars with painted geometric designs covering a period from 3000 to 200 B.C. Also, there are bronze objects found in graves in Luristan. Among these weapons, pins, horse bits and vesseles are datable from 1500 to 700 B.C. Flemish Art : A large 16th-17th century Flemish tapestry woven in wool and silk depicting a garden scene is a superb specimen of the Flemish art. French Art : It is represented here by some sculptures and pages from a delicately illuminated Bible of 16th-17th century. Goan Art : Apart from the non-Indian collectins in the gallery are displayed some specimens of art and sculpture from Goa on India's west coast. These statues in wood and ivory were produced by the artists in the 17th century, when Portuguese colonial power in this part of India was at its height. Displayed here in the gallery are the wooden images of Christian Saints, painted in coloured wax, in shades of red, deep blue and gold.

Copyright National Museum, NewDelhi(India) .All Rights Reserved. Site design,development and hosting by CEDTI(Mohali)