Medicine Man's Club Representing Buffalo Embryo

Item number 43.201.165 from the Brooklyn Museum.

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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.