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Lensmark

Your AI tour guide for NMAI Washington

Photograph a work in NMAI Washington and Lensmark tells you who made it, when, and why it matters, with every fact linked to its source.

Your tour guide, today

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NMAI Washington

Washington, United States

Lensmark is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NMAI Washington.

Privacy

Take a photo and read the work's sourced story

Illustrative photo demo

Illustrative collection

  1. Take a permitted photo Use a photo allowed by the museum's current rules.
  2. Read the sourced history When Lensmark can verify the work, it explains what the sources support and links to them. When it cannot, it says so plainly.
  3. Ask a follow-up Continue with a question about the work's maker, age or significance.
  4. Your NMAI Washington walk saves itself. Just take pictures. Each work is kept with its sourced history, grouped by day.

The illustrative demo shows Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam in Vatican City. The demo and collection images illustrate Lensmark and are not NMAI Washington collection works.

What the NMAI Washington collection covers

The National Museum of the American Indian opened its Washington building on the National Mall in 2004. The institution's collection grew from the former Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation, and its transfer to the Smithsonian in 1989. History of the Collections

The museum presents Native arts, histories and living cultures of the Western Hemisphere. This page covers the Washington museum; the collection records below do not establish that these objects are currently displayed there.

Its collection strengths include Native arts and material culture of the Western Hemisphere, North American ethnology and archaeology, Central and South American archaeology, and Modern and contemporary Native art.

  • Jar with feathered serpent design

    Probably Casas Grandes maker (unrecorded)

    Date
    AD 1150-1450

    The museum tentatively attributes this painted jar to the Casas Grandes tradition. Dated AD 1150-1450, the hand-built pottery vessel is recorded as catalog number 11/9739 from the Paquimé region of Chihuahua, Mexico.

    Read the museum record

  • Woman's leggings

    Northern Shoshone maker (unrecorded)

    Date
    circa 1910

    These Northern Shoshone leggings combine hide, cloth and beadwork. The museum dates them to circa 1910, records Idaho as their place of origin and identifies them as catalog number 12/3197.

    Read the museum record

  • Necklace with attached flute

    Ka'apor maker (unrecorded)

    Date
    1955-1962

    This Ka'apor necklace includes an attached flute. The museum dates it to 1955-1962 and records feathers, bird bone, cotton canvas and cordage among its materials, under catalog number 23/3285.

    Read the museum record

These are collection records, not confirmation that the works are on display today.

Check the photography rules first

The Smithsonian's published policy permits still and video photography for noncommercial use unless otherwise posted; special exhibitions and public programs may prohibit photography or flash. Read its current visitor conditions and follow gallery signs before taking a photo. NMAI Washington photography policy

Lensmark needs a connection to answer, so check your signal or any visitor Wi-Fi before you photograph a work.

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