This is one ugly head worthy of this week's Pottery, Glass and Porcelain board Ugly contest. I haven't a clue on it's age, function or even if it's a man or woman. Could it be a pipe or for incense? The head appears to be carved out of a hard clay and stained(?) a brown color. It is 3.5" tall, approximately 3.25" wide and weighs a bit over 1 pound. There is a hole in the back that leads up to the hole you see in the top which is a little over 1" deep. There are two smaller holes at the bottom which are bridged, perhaps for putting a string or cord for hanging? It was found with the paper sticker on it which reads: Etrua Mounds Area Georia(Georgia?) The pictures will tell the story of it's hair style, earrings, face carvings and condition.
I did submit photos of the head to an online appraisal site many months ago. After a month it was the "experts" opinion that it doesn't fit any known artifacts, the wear marks weren't consistant with being buried, the chipping wasn't correct(?),(which could have been done at anytime during it's life), and how to care for it since it appeared to be falling apart..which it isn't. She felt it was a reproduction from the 1940's and possibly used as a teaching tool. A bit of conflicting information that cost me $20. What was left out was any information on the sticker, it's possible use or, if it doesn't fit any known artifacts, a reproduction of what? So back to square one. What is it?
As you can see there are chips off it's nose,ear and the nose of the earring face, assorted chips,rubs and flakes. There is an uneven oval shallow "crack" mark that goes over the top and around the back section and there are small pieces of the clay missing and some glaze like residue in parts of it. It could be a repaired crack or part of it's making.
Well, there you have it. One ugly head that remains a mystery being sold as found and a sure winner in any ugly contest! Winning bid amount (should there actually be any) will be given to our the local Goodwill.:)
Please see my other auctions for an equally ugly bone man carving.
USPS Shipping and insurance paid by the winning bidder with a Money Order, Check or PayPal.
"..this is a protohistoric Indian pipe
circa 1200-1500 A.D. made of fine grain sandstone with
a "weeping eye" design and earspools. It has not been
stained- that's the patina this light colored stone
takes on from being buried. It has been broken and
anciently glued back together with hoof or fish glue.
It was apparently found near the Etowah Mounds in N.W.
Georgia by a person who can't spell." Here is where he lived.
http://ngeorgia.com/parks/etowah.html
"The Ugly Head Pipe arrived this afternoon in good
condition. I have given him a light cleaning and
viewed it under the scope. It is authentic and dates a
little later than I orignally thought (probably about
1600). I am very pleased with it..."
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