PIPE: FISH-EFFIGY, PACIFIC NORTHWEST

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PIPE: FISH-EFFIGY, PACIFIC NORTHWEST:
$98.00

PIPE:FISH-EFFIGY, PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Length:4 ½”

Width:1 ¼”

Height:2 ½”

Weight:7.9 oz

An astonishingly preserved stone fish pipefrom the Pacific Northwest. Obtainedfrom a long-time collector’s estate, this remarkable pipe shows a fish perchedon a rock.

The smoke hole is atop the dorsal area ofthe fish while the mouth hole apparently was drilled into the base stone.

Minor abrasion scratches, dings anddiscoloration throughout.Clearevidence of extraction is visible at both openings. Small nick on upper rim ofsmoke hole.

Fish were a major food source for all ofthe Pacific Northwestern tribes, including those in and around Puget Sound.

Prior to white settlement—and for manyyears thereafter—many fish, including the annual salmon runs were considered tobe inexhaustible.Therewere literally tons of the fish returning to inland streams to spawn.

Entire Native American culture, myths,traditions were built around this abundance.

This pipe is clearly an attempt to gleanthe power and fecundity of this bounty.The prehistoric maker highlighted the essential elements/form of the fish inthis beautiful, though stylizedpipe.

As with all incursions to a pristineculture, within decades the annual fish runs began to dwindle.Coupled to this,the many riverdams in the northwest led to depleted stocks.And in and around Puget Sound, today,there are toxic chemicals oozing into the flesh of this once staplefood-source.

A beautiful and astonishing piece ofprehistoric mobile art!