Description:

Native American, Pacific Coast, United States, California, Channel Islands, Chumash, Nicolenos, or Tongva people, ca. 1250 to 1800 CE. A collection of tools - 3 abalone shell dishes with pitch residue and a bone wedge. The bone wedge is likely from a marine mammal such as a whale or seal rib bone which is perfectly suited for prying abalone shells or as a pitch applicator. The abalone shells form natural handheld palette bowls, to carry the sticky pitch. Asphaltum or asphalt is the type of bitumen pitch that seeps naturally from the ground, this asphalt was often mixed with plant and pine pitch to make a substance known as yop, the perfect glue for watercraft construction, waterproofing agent for baskets, and masonry. The peoples of the Channel Islands relied on the ocean for sustenance and abalone was a major part of their diet - the shells then utilized as tools. Size: 5" L x 0.8" W (12.7 cm x 2 cm)

Provenance: private Lumberton, Texas, USA collection, acquired before 2010

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#169313

  • Condition: Losses to all three shells and pitch residue is loose and actively flaking. Nacre shell surface is also flaking. We recommended storing in a case to prevent further corrosion. Bone is intact and very good with natural ossification to surface.

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March 3, 2022 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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