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Post by angien on Jan 1, 2012 21:17:59 GMT -5
I was given these by my aunt and uncle. My uncle farms in southeast Nebraska and he found these while discing a field. He's had them for more than 40 years. The leather string was still intact when I was young, but is not now. Any information on these would be helpful. Attachments:
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Post by Craig on Jan 2, 2012 12:17:54 GMT -5
Wow, those are very cool. What a Great artifact.
Craig
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Post by arappaho on Jan 3, 2012 9:41:54 GMT -5
Angien,
Just because these beads are old and were found in a plowed field
in southeastern Nebraska I would have to caution you about
jumping to the conclusion that they are of prehistoric Native
American manufacture. And if they are stone and have a drilled
hole lengthwise, they are most likely not of NA manufacture.
But there are a lot of questions that need to be answered first such
as, What is the stone? Is it local or imported? What is the diameter
of the drilled hole? Have the stones been polished?
And we would need more and better pics.
Just a guess would be that these were made in the early 1900's
as "Indian" souvenirs sold in gift shops.
But that's just a guess and there are a lot of questions to be answered first.
Joe
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Post by angien on Jan 3, 2012 22:39:38 GMT -5
I have no idea what sort of stone, but no, they do not look polished. Just handled much, maybe rubbed. Very imperfect. In most cases, the holes length-wise and width-wise are smaller than the diameter of a tooth-pick and also imperfect. The wooden toggle and leather are what makes me wonder if they are not souveniers as you suggested. The toggle seems very symmetrical and the strip of leather is wider than it is deep if that makes sense.
My uncle loved his find, and like all rocks, I love them, too. Don't care if they are of value per se, but would love to know more about them. What type of person could I take them to that could tell me, or I could try to post better pics if you think that would be helpful.
I feel like the stones are light for their size, I'm one of those to pick up a rock I like and stick it in my pocket...that's what I'm judging by! Thanks! Angien
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Post by arappaho on Jan 4, 2012 10:48:53 GMT -5
No doubt that they are a treasure, Angien.  You know when and where they were found, and that's what matters most! I have done some surfing of bead and bead history sites and have not found anything to compare to these. So I am not sure where to direct you for more information. If you are close to a university or a State Cultural Resource office it never hurts to stop in bother someone. They aren't usually very busy, they just act like they are.  Identifying the stone(s) would help. How hard the stone is would help to clarify if it would've been possible for the Native Americans to drill the holes. If they are Talc,ie; Soapstone, or some other soft rock like some Argillites, then yes, it would be a possibility. Also, if you can identify the stone it may tell you where they may have come from. ie; were these some sort of trade item made in Europe, Canada, or Mexico? Normally, if these were NA manufacture, you would see the hole drilled in some face of the stone and worn like a pendant. The holes being drilled through the middle of the beads is very time consuming and not what you would usually see from NA aboriginal manufacture. It just appears more like mass production to me. But nothin's impossible! I believe you are going to have your work cut out for you trying to track these down. One possibility to consider also....Back in the 1930's and 40's the government set up programs for Native Americans on reservations to mass produce all sorts of items that could then be sold to tourists. These may be a product of one of those sort of programs. If they are, then they would probably be very hard to track down. Enjoy your heirlooms! Best of Luck with your research, Angien. Keep us posted on what you find out. Joe |
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Post by Craig on Jan 4, 2012 15:15:42 GMT -5
Joe is exactly right. Back in the later 1800's and early 1900's the Iroquois Tribe for instance would make beaded pillows and pin cushions as souvenirs. These old souvenirs are actually quite collectible and sought after today. I picked up one of these Iroquois pillows not to long ago. Here's an example of one,  Take Care, Craig |
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Post by leonardo on Jan 4, 2012 17:50:22 GMT -5
Probably belonged to some hippy that lost them while stealing watermelons back in the 50's 60's hahaha
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Post by arappaho on Jan 4, 2012 19:30:42 GMT -5
I don't know, leonard, I was trying to figure out where he's going with that purse? He'll stand out like a sore thumb at Tractor Supply or Wal-Mart ;D  |
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Post by Craig on Jan 5, 2012 3:47:00 GMT -5
Lol ;D, It does kinda look like a purse Joe. You won't catch me walking into Wal-Mart with it ;D.
I just posted it because it was listed at an online Native American store as one of the souvenirs that the Iroquois Tribe would make for tourists back in the early 1900's.
Craig
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Post by leonardo on Jan 5, 2012 19:36:02 GMT -5
In Europe they call them man bags...We need to get back to serious here. With the spacers in between the larger beads it looks more modern..is this the way they were found by your uncle, Angien
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Post by angien on Jan 16, 2012 23:05:40 GMT -5
Or murse...man-purse! Thanks for all the help everyone. I tend to agree they are some sort of souvenier, but cool nonetheless. Daughter goes to CSU and I sent them with her. When she has time, she will track down someone there that might have an idea and I will post what I find out here! Thanks again!
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Post by angien on Jan 16, 2012 23:09:45 GMT -5
And yes...they were found intact with the spacers. The leather has deteriorated over the years, also leading me to believe that they are not "ancient" but old. 35 years ago, I wore the necklace as he found it, but the leather has broken over the years.
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Post by rockshine on Jan 17, 2012 7:29:36 GMT -5
I think they are clay beads, due to the fact they are all indented in the center, much as a thumb would make. And, a hole is easy to drill through damp clay, before it is dried and fired.
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Post by mikeyrocks on Jan 17, 2012 23:43:03 GMT -5
rockshine I think you are onto it there with the clay bead thought...good - eye! What also appears to support that is the plainness of the beads or lack of stone pattern or character one finds in most stone beads. Currently stones manufactured like that are referred to as Worry Stones and are made to be fondled in the hand under the thumb. Highly unlikely for an ancient culture to carve that indent into stone
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Post by angien on Jan 18, 2012 0:29:38 GMT -5
Wow-definitely onto something there. Would explain why I felt like they were light compared to rocks. THANKS!
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Post by leonardo on Jan 18, 2012 11:58:29 GMT -5
And they could still be soapstone....
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