» Press Releases

Kurt S. Browning

Secretary of State

For Immediate Release Contact: Lee Modica

March 1, 2007 850.245.6476

lmodica@dos.state.fl.us

American Royalty Indian Heritage Sculptures to be Unveiled

Tallahassee, FL—Secretary of State Kurt S. Browning will 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 on March 15, 2007. American Royalty represents the early people 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. Other sculptural groupings installed outside the building 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 artists, Bradley Cooley and Bradley Cooley, Jr., are known for their in-depth research before the start of a new project. They have taken the look of this group from engravings done in the 17th century by Theodor de Bry who in turn took his work from watercolors created by Jacques Le Moyne, 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 Capitol. 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.

The dedication starts at 10:00 a.m., and marks the beginning of Florida Heritage Month. Secretary of State Kurt S. Browning will deliver opening remarks. Representatives of the Seminole Tribe and the Muscogee Tribe will speak during the ceremony. Robert Floyd, a major sponsor of this artistic work, will also speak. A reception will follow after the dedication ceremony.

# # #