About Ancient Hands

Ancient Hands grew from the prolific work of ethnographic artist Ivan Gundrum. In the late 1960’s, with the support of noted archaeologists Dr. Edgar Banks and Dr. Hale Smith, and the Tallahassee Museum staff, Ivan reproduced hundreds of Southeastern artifacts. Collections of reproductions were sent to many institutions throughout the South. Most of the reproductions offered by Ancient Hands were first reconstructed by Mr. Gundrum. In the mid 1970’s, Marty Haythorn worked closely with Ivan for four years. When Ivan’s studio in Tallahassee was purchased to expand the Capital buildings, he moved to Thomasville, Georgia to live with Marty’s family and work in his studio. In the early 1990’s, Marty began building upon Mr. Gundrums work by documenting the reproductions Mr. Gundrum had done, and by experimenting with pit-firing and burnishing. Marty expanded the number of reproductions in the collection and introduced miniatures, ocarinas, clay beads, and pendants, rattles and coasters with Southeastern motifs. In recent years, Ancient Hands has begun offering original contemporary art in the Southeastern tradition.