16th century Timucuans
Here’s a 15 March 2007 Florida Department of State press release describing about these sculptures:
Governor Crist Unveils American Royalty Indian Heritage Sculptures
~ Event kicks off Florida Heritage Month ~
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Governor Charlie Crist and Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp today joined Secretary of State Kurt S. Browning to dedicate the latest installation of the Indian Heritage Tableau sculptures at the north end of the R. A. Gray Building on Bronough Street in downtown Tallahassee. American Royalty represents the residents who were in Florida during the time of the European contact in the 16th century. Those people included the Timucuan, Apalachee, Ocale, Calusa, and Tequesta. Also attending the dedication ceremony were representatives of the Seminole Tribe and the Muscogee Tribe and Robert Floyd, a major sponsor of this artistic work.
“It is fitting for us to celebrate the long and admirable history of Florida’s native peoples because Florida has been home to more than 25 tribal groups,” Governor Crist said. “Some groups came to escape disease and conflict and remained for only a short time while others lived here for centuries and blended into the tribes that we know today. All of them contribute to the rich and complex history of our great state and to the rich diversity of cultures that make up Florida.”
American Royalty’s artists, Bradley Cooley and Bradley Cooley Jr. of Lamont, Florida, are known for their in-depth research of each new project. They have based this group of sculptures on engravings done in the 17th century by Theodor de Bry who created his work from the watercolors of Jacques LeMoyne, an artist who traveled the Jacksonville area during the 16th century, recording the Timucuan people he encountered there.
“It is a privilege for me to share in this experience of recognizing Florida’s native people,” said Secretary Browning. “Their contributions to Florida’s history and culture are significant, and it is fitting that we showcase these figures in the state capital. The Cooleys have done a superb job in creating a lasting memorial for generations to come.”
American Royalty represents a group of indigenous Florida people of the period and shows a king, queen and servant. The king wears elaborate shell and stone jewelry and has extensive tattooed patterns over his body. In the 16th century, the tattoos were created by rubbing charcoal in small incisions made in the skin. The king also wears a bone and feather headdress, a sash woven of Spanish moss and copper ear spools. These ear ornaments were traded from the Great Lakes area. The king’s long nails are indicative of his royal status.
The queen also wears copper ear spools and a graceful drape of woven and braided Spanish moss. The servant, wearing an alligator tooth necklace with a copper pendent centerpiece, walks behind the king and queen and is not permitted to look upon them while carrying the king’s deerskin robe.
Artists Cooley and Cooley Jr. created each figure by first layering clay over a foundation armature of wood and metal. More and more clay was applied and skillfully modeled to become a life-like recreation of their vision. When the clay figures were completed to the last detail of hair, skin and clothing, they were prepared for casting by master mold-maker Carla Knight of Denver. The rubber molds of the figures were then shipped to the foundry in Colorado, where wax was poured into the molds to recreate a positive image. Ceramic molds were cast over these wax figures and heated to melt out the wax in preparation for the pouring in of molten bronze heated to 2,000 degrees. After breaking away the ceramic molds, the bronze figures were reassembled, cleaned and finished with varying shades of patina.
“It is important to tell the story of where we came from and honor the native people who have inhabited Florida,” Lt. Governor Kottkamp said. “Understanding our past helps to shape our future and reminds us of our common goals and common future as Floridians.”
American Royalty is the third sculptural grouping installed outside of the R. A. Gray Building. Other groupings have included Movin’ On, representing the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians in Florida of the 1930s and the Seminole Family, representing an 1830s Seminole Indian family in Florida.
The dedication marks the beginning of the fourth annual Florida Heritage Month, which is celebrated from March 15 through April 15, which encourages appreciation of Florida’s rich cultural heritage, celebrating its historical sites, museums, libraries, and the visual and performing arts which flourish throughout the state.
oss.dos.state.fl.us/communications/press-releases/2007-03…
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