Native American, Southern United States, Mississippian / Caddo culture, ca. 1000 to 1500 CE. A fascinating collection of 30 shells that are hand polished and drilled for suspension as pendants and tools. The shells are from a type of horse conch, with beautiful spires at the top. The spines along the spiral are polished to rounded nubs, ideal for wearing against bare skin. Two holes are hand drilled on the opening lip, so the shell could be suspended and worn as a gorget or pendant. Gorgets are believed to be protective medicine, and the more elaborately decorated shell examples are thought to be insignia indicative of status or rank. The lower half of the shell surface, below the chamber opening, has been removed and polished down to just the core column of the shell. The interior columns of shells were sometimes sharpened and used as picks or chisels. Size of largest: 4.75" L x 1.25" W (12.1 cm x 3.2 cm); smallest: 1.8" L x 0.5" W (4.6 cm x 1.3 cm)
Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-Dr. David Harner collection, Springdale, Arkansas, USA, acquired between the 1950s and 1960s
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#166921
Condition
Natural ossification and pitting of shell surfaces. Some perforations and holes to spires, not from drilling. Chips to pointed tips and spires. Scattered mineral and earthen deposits, especially inside chambers.