Historically, Kansas City is the gateway to the unsettled, rife with opportunity West.   The BMA Tower, former home of Generali USA, stood on the highest spot in Kansas City, a convergence of the three mail and wagon train trails to the West: Sante Fe, Oregon, and California.   Now the stuff of legend and Hollywood, travelers west came to Kansas City to be outfitted for their journeys and joined the wagon trains with a willingness to risk everything for a dream.  

Influenced by its historic location, BMA, the company purchased by Generali in 1990, built a large collection of American Indian and Western American art and artifacts.   Much of this art symbolized the regionalist art movement in the United States, depicting  what everyday life was like in the 19th century; a time when taming the West was achieved  through hard work, dedication, sacrifice, struggle, perseverance and triumph over adversity.   Characteristics which even today symbolize Generali USA’s approach to succeeding as one of the premier, value added reinsurers in the United States. 

The artifacts collection includes weapons, implements, blankets, jewelry and other artifacts from the Pre-Columbian period and Indian tribes who inhabited this region: the Wichita, Iowa, Osage, Missouri, Pawnee, Sioux (Dakota), Kansa, Hopi, Apache, Zuni, and others.  The collection includes Folsom and Clovis points, arrowheads, bows and arrows, tomahawks, grain baskets, and fetishes.

Generali USA is proud to have inherited this collection, and it displays many of the most famous pieces throughout its halls and offices.  We are honored to share a few highlights from the collection.  We receive many visitors and clients each year who ask for a tour of the artwork.  Certain long term employees have served as “tour guides” providing interesting background on the various pieces. Chris Duffy, secretary to Chairman Carnicelli, has seen the art displayed in all its locations.   “Everyone loves our collection of western, native Indian and pre-Columbian art as each piece tells its own unique story.   We are privileged to work amidst such great art, and we are proud to share it with our guests.”

Chris Carnicelli comments, “I am honored to be surrounded by all this fabulous art.  In fact, one of the prized pieces from the Carnicelli collection is on loan to Generali USA.  The autographed photo montage of George Brett’s famous pine tar incident hangs proudly next to the Thomas Hart Benton.”