Description:

Native American, Midwestern to Southern United States, Mississippian / Caddo culture, ca. 900 to 1400 CE. A collection of 36 olive snail shells of creamy white and brown hues, each worked by human hands and drilled to be used pendants or adornments. The apex of each tip has been removed, the rim of this opening smoothed, and the inner column spiral is visible - a cosmological symbol of life cycles. These shells were used ritualistically and as markers of status and wealth, and possibly as tinklers since they have a surprisingly musical quality when tapped. Olive shells come from several species of marine mollusks and have been found in burials far inland such as the Spiro Mound site in Oklahoma- those important shells traveled about 1,400 miles (2253 km) from the ocean- indicating their value in Mississippian culture! Size of each (most are relatively similar): 1.5" L x 1" W (3.8 cm x 2.5 cm); (case): 12.124" L x 8.124" W (30.8 cm x 20.6 cm)

Provenance: private South Carolina, USA collection

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#171339

  • Condition: Chips and nicks throughout. One shell on the outer edge is a fragment only. Natural pitting and ossification. All have drill holes or suspension grooves. Displayed in modern Riker case.

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August 4, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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