Usage conditions may apply for digital images, video, and sound recordings linked within SOVA collections. While digital content may be restricted, SOVA collection descriptions and catalog records are available CC0 for re-use. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
National Anthropological Archives
Donald Bush Cordry photographs of Indigenous peoples of Mexico, 1937-1972
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NAA.PhotoLot.87-38
- Creators:
-
Cordry, Donald Bush
- Dates:
-
1937-1972
- Languages:
-
Undetermined.
- Physical Description:
-
8 Color transparencies93 Gelatin silver printsmounted
- Repository:
Scope and Contents note
Scope and Contents note
Enlargements of photographs made by Donald Bush Cordry during his time in Mexico. These were mounted for a 1970s Bellas Artes-sponsored traveling exhibit based on Cordry's collection of Mexican Indian costumes. Included are images of Indigenous peoples of Mexico, fiestas and dances, pottery, boats, weaving, spinning, masks, vendors and markets, churches, and shrines. Depicted groups include the Huichol, Mestizo, Tarascan, Seri, Mayo, Tepehua, Totonac, Nahua, Mazatec, Cuicatec, Chinantec, Zapotec, Mixe, Amusgo, Huave, Mixtec, Chapanec, Zoque, Tzotzil, and Maya. Additionally, there are some self portraits of Donald Cordry and his wife Dorothy.
Biographical/Historical note
Biographical/Historical note
Donald Bush Cordry (1907-1978) was an artist and photographer who studied the art of Indigenous peoples of Mexico. In 1931, Cordry made his first trip to Guerrero, Mexico, where he became interested in contemporary mask making. In 1934, Cordry moved to New York to work as a marionette designer for puppeteer Tony Sarg. While there, he contacted George G. Heye to learn more about Indigenous Mexican art. This led to a series of collecting expeditions from 1935 to 1938, during which Cordry collected Mexican masks and other artifacts for the Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation.
Administration
Author
Sarah Ganderup
Custodial History note
Donated to the Smithsonian in 1984 by Dorothy Cordry, through Jane Walsh, as part of accession 361232. Transferred from the Department of Anthropology to the National Anthropological Archives, circa 1987.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access note
The collection is open for research.
Access to the collection requires an appointment.
Conditions Governing Use note
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Preferred Citation note
Photo Lot 87-38, Donald Cordry photographs of Indigenous peoples of Mexico, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Location of Other Archival Materials
Location of Other Archival Materials
Additional photographs made by Cordry can be found in the National Anthropological Archives in Photo Lot 82-14.
Location of Other Archival Materials
Donald Cordry and his wife, Dorothy Mann Cordry, also donated clothing and musical instruments from Mexico to the Department of Anthropology in accessions 361232 and 355866.
Location of Other Archival Materials
The National Museum of the American Indian Archives holds the Donald Bush Cordry collection of photographs and negatives, 1933-1940, as well as artifacts collected by Cordry.
Location of Other Archival Materials
Photographs of the Donald Cordry Mexican mask exhibit can be found in the National Anthropological Archives in Photo Lot 80-3.
Location of Other Archival Materials
The Donald Cordry Mexican mask collection can be found in the Department of Anthropology in accession 355867.
More Information
Local Call Number(s)
Local Call Number(s)
NAA Photo Lot 87-38
, USNM ACC 361232
Bibliography
Bibliography
Photographs published in Donald Bush Cordry and Dorothy M. Cordry, Mexican Indian Costumes, The Texas Pan American Series, Austin: University of Texas Press, 1968.
Other Finding Aids note
Other Finding Aids note
Inventory available in repository.
Keywords
National Anthropological Archives
Museum Support Center
4210 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, Maryland 20746
naa@si.edu