Native American, Southern and Midwestern United States, Mississippian Culture, ca. 1000 to 1600 CE. A rare Native American artifact, a medicine tube or cloud blower, sculpted from a hand-carved, green-gray stone - likely steatite. Boasting a biconical form, the fascinating tube is comprised of 2 flared ends with slender rims and annular openings, both connected to a narrow midsection wrapped in 4 raised bands. Size: 4.9" L x 1.6" Diameter (12.4 cm x 4.1 cm)
A medicine tube used by a shaman - also called a blowing tube, sucking tube, tube pipe, or cupping horn - was used by applying suction to wounds or infected areas, often with the inclusion of plant or animal substances. These were used from about 2800 years ago - 800 BCE - until the 1700s, and early European observers found the Native methodology perfectly rational for removing infections, foreign objects, and bad spirits.
Provenance: private South Carolina, USA collection
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#171159
Condition
Nicks, chips, scratches, and abrasions throughout. Otherwise, intact and very nice with earthen deposits on interior. Collection label on side.