The Global Village Museum of Arts and Culture has so many amazing artifacts that it’s hard to choose just one favorite…so we chose ten! This list of the top 10 favorite artifacts at the museum includes not only personal favorites, but the favorites of the staff and volunteers who see each of these items every day. These items are not just from different parts of the museum, but from different parts of the world! Each one has a unique story to tell.

The story of the Maid-Mer is an unbeatable one. Hand carved from Kerosene wood, this two foot statue was commissioned as a mermaid, and was named “Maid-Mer” due to its reversed nature. This is a perfect demonstration of the interpretation, and creativity behind creating art. This statue is a highlight of the current exhibit at Global Village, Work and Wonder: Behind the Scenes at the Museum, but when this exhibit rotates out, she can be found in the museum’s Village Arts, which is a permanent collection at the museum. 

Zhen is one of many handmade tigers who originated in rural China, and she is the highlight of the museum’s current exhibit.  Each region has a specific style for the tigers, made from cloth, feathers, stitching, and stuffing, but Zhen doesn’t quite fit into any of the styles, so we aren’t sure where she’s from. Tigers like Zhen are traditionally given to young children throughout China to chase off evil spirits and foster bravery, health, and strength.

The Victorian Doll House sits in Mundoville, which is a permanent collection of miniatures. This doll house portrays a woman getting ready to have afternoon tea with her mother-in-law, while the children are playing in their rooms. Each room is uniquely decorated, and features hand made items including the rugs made from needlepoint. Looking at the Victorian House feels like taking a glimpse back in time to the Victorian era!

Namthose is a Dharma Protector, who is the guardian of the North direction. He is one of 35 dolls in the Global Villages collection. Losel Dolls were created by Tibetan Monks who were in exile as a way to preserve their culture, clothing, and traditions. Global Village Museum is home to North America’s largest Losel Doll collection, started by Jeanne Nash, over 35 years ago.

Located in the museum’s Village Arts, this Sea Turtle is a staple of the Global Village Museum. Carved from Kerosene wood with inlaid mother-of-pearl decorations the turtle was created in 1992, in the New Georgia Province of the Solomon Islands, where Sea Turtles are often used as tribal and clan totems.

Japanese wood kettle hooks are traditionally used to hold a kettle on a chain above a hearth. A Jizai Gake, or a large wooden hook, was suspended from the ceiling with heavy rope, and an adjuster was attached to allow for the weight of the kettle or pot to be raised and lowered. The koi fish was hand carved in Kyoto, Japan, from keyaki wood, and is designed to help weight the pulley system to adjust the pot above the heat source. This hanging koi lives in the museum’s Village Arts, and is a favorite because of its unique, and innovative nature.

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This Bark Painting, part of a set of three, is located in the museum’s permanent collection, Village Arts. It is painted by an aboriginal artist from Australia on the flattened bark of an eucalyptus tree. This painting depicts several frogs, totems of the artist, going into the holes in the mud, near the central totemic waterhole.

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These silk origami cranes were crafted in Japan in the 20th century, and are made from multi-colored Japanese silk fabrics. People decorate their homes with origami cranes to bring in good energy. The crane sits on a pedestal in the museum’s Village Arts collection, and is a great representation of Japanese culture. Cranes are significant in Japanese culture, representing good fortune, health, resilience, and hope. This is a museum favorite, because of their beautiful nature and representation of Japanese culture.

The Giraffe Woman is one of the most mysterious pieces that Global Village has on display in the current exhibit, Work and Wonder: Behind the Scenes at the Museum. The carving style gives hints of African, the paint colors suggest Mexican, and when combined this could suggest American folk art. No one is sure where she originated from, or even if we are looking at her the right way. Her mystery is fascinating, which makes her a favorite of everyone who passes by!

This pair of Vietnamese Water Buffalo Horns is featured in the museum’s permanent gallery: Village Arts. They are carved and decorated with snake skin. The water buffalo embodies qualities that resonate deeply with Vietnamese society: strength, hard work, perseverance, and prosperity. In Vietnam, the buffalo is much more than livestock; it is deeply woven into folk wisdom, spiritual offerings, and seasonal celebrations. Ancient proverbs like “Mua trau, cuoi vo, lam nha” (“Buy a buffalo, marry a wife, build a house”) emphasize the animal’s role as a first step toward prosperity.