The class of antique pipes. Smoking pipes, constitute a branch of
Indian art, which called forth their ingenuity by carvings of various
forms of steatite, serpentine, indurated clay, limestone, sandstone and
other bodies. A very favorite material was the red sedimentary compact
deposit, found on the high dividing ridge between the Missouri and
Mississippi, called the Coteau du Prairie. Pipes were also made from
clay, tempered with some siliceous or felspathique material, similar to
that used in their ancient earthenware.
[Illustration: OPOAGUNA ALGONQUIN.—Fig. 1. AM. ANT.
Plate VIII.]
The composition of this pipe is a compact brown clay, tempered with a
fine siliceous matter, and dried in the sun, not baked in a potter’s
oven. The exterior is stained black, and bears a certain gloss, not a
glazing. The bowl has been formed by hand, and is rude. The principal
point of skill is evinced in the twist ornamenting the exterior of the
bowl. Locality, Genesee river valley.
* * * * *
OPOAGUNA AZTEC. Fig. 3, plate VIII. The material is a species
of Terra Cotta, or reddish earthenware. Its fracture discloses very
minute shining particles, which appear to be mica. Probably the
ingredient used to temper the clay, was pounded granite. The features
resemble, very strikingly, those of Mexico and central America, figured
by Mr. Catherwood & Stephens. Onondaga county.
[Illustration: AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES.—Plate VIII.]
* * * * *
OPAGUNA IBERIC. Fig. 1. Plate IX. Material, a slate coloured
ware. Features, thin and sharp. Neck, acute in front, with an angular
line extending from the chin downwards. Onondaga.
[Illustration: AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES.—Plate IX.]
* * * * *
OPOAGUNA ETRUSCAN. Fig. 2. Plate X. Material similar to O.
Aztec. Figure double headed—heads alike, placed back to back, like the
Grecian deity Janus, connected by five parallel fillets,—bowl rudely
formed, by hand. Onondaga.
[Illustration: AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES.—Plate X.]