The following Taino listings are part of the collection of Dr. Robert Woodruff deceased professor of entomology at the University of Florida. For over thirty years he regularly traveled to the Dominican Republic to conduct research. While traveling through the country he developed a substantial Taino artifact and rock and mineral collection. He had a preference for the Zemi. Being unique to islands, Zemis are considered the ideal iconic representative of the Taino culture.
8 Taino. PreColumbian. Published. A nicely engraved Type 6 zemi with complex engravings of swirls and circles. Published in Taino Zemis and Other Heads of State, (picture 6.233 on Pg 165). Made from a rich colored serpentine with dark spotted inclusions.Length 4.7”. Taino Culture c 600-1500 AD. Dominican Republic. Dr Robert Woodruff collection.
Curated by Larry Roberts author of “Taino Sculptures, Art of the Gods”. “Taino Hallucinogenic Implements Inhaling the Cosmic Dust” and newly released “Taino Zemis and Other Heads of State, ReDiscovering Caribbean Art”. BS. Archaeology U of Fl and BA Art History U of Fl.