JONES
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The British Museum
Artifact: rock crystal
skull - probably European, 19th
century AD
Large quartz crystal skulls have generated great interest
and fascination since they began to surface in public and
private collections, during the second half of the
nineteenth century. Some of them have been attributed to the
work of ancient Aztec, Mixtec or even Maya stone workers in
Mexico. Others are said to be examples of colonial Mexican
art, for use in churches, perhaps as bases for crucifixes.
The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum is steward to over fifty percent of O'Keeffe's artwork. The Museum displays her work in some of the galleries on a rotating basis throughout the year.
How Crystal Skulls Work To some people, a crystal skull is simply an object carved from quartz crystal in the shape of a human skull. They can be clear or colored crystal, and they range from crudely carved to incredibly detailed. Some crystal skulls are just a few inches in diameter, while others are life-size. Whether you find them beautiful or creepy, many crystal skulls are representations of amazing craftsmanship. That's part of why some of them have been (and still are) exhibited in the Smithsonian, the British Museum and the Musee de l'Homme in Paris. Includes info about the Mitchell-Hedges Skull.