Medicine Man's Club Representing Buffalo Embryo Item Number: 43.201.165 from the Brooklyn Museum
Description
This would have fit onto something but would not function as a club. Looks rather modern in style as a fetish and resembles a buffalo in the face or possibly a carving of a cicada. Made of soapstone; threading rings sometimes indicate a medicine use. 'Lightening' streaks coming out of mouth. Stone carving is very rare for Plains, but Mississippi tribes are very interested in stone as a media. For Lakota, rebirth and animals in larvae stage were sacred. Exact purpose of this piece and in fact exactly what it represents is unknown.
Credit Line
Anonymous gift in memory of Dr. Harlow Brooks
Item History
- Made between 1700 and 1899
What
Who
- Culture
- Sioux
Where
- Holding Institution
- Brooklyn Museum
When
- Creation Date
- between 1700 and 1899
Other
- Classification
- Ceremonial