Brooklyn Museum Collection

The Sioux gun stock club (bottom in photograph) is made of red pipestone too brittle to use for battle. It may have been used in ceremonies since the lead inlays represent potent images; the sun, a bison, a deer, a thunderbird, hearts and arrows. Alternatively, it may have been made for sale. The reverse side at one time also had lead inlays and shows markings that may be more related to astrological signs, half moons, stars and crossed diamonds.

Tag attached M.D. Schwatrz: "Flask 19th c. Puurchased over 40 years ago in shop in Greenwich, R. I."

(center in photograph)This ash wood pipe has the length carved in a spiral. Decorations along this are made with lead inlays; a fish appears inside one of the spiral curves, and the flat section on the end has four thunderbirds inlaid on one side and two buffalo heads and two animals (bears?) on the other side. The spiral section is further decorated with burn marks from a searing tool.

Part of material purchased as belonging to Red Cloud. This catlinite L-shaped pipe with catlinite stem with two inserts from carved wood on either end. The wood is carved in relief with the figures of an antelope on one piece and an elk head on the other. There is metal inlay along the catlinite stem. Condition: good. a- wooden mouthpiece, 1 1/8" x 1 1/4" x 9 1/4" b- stone stem piece with inlay, 7/8" x 1 1/2" x 15 3/4" c- wooden stem piece, 1 1/8" x 1 1/2" x 9" d- stone bowl, 5 1/2" x 1 7/8" x 7 7/8"

Pipe bowl made in the shape of a tomahawk with lead inlay around the pipe bowl and stem. Does not look functional. Possibly made for trade.

This thick set, red catlinite pipe is carved so that the actual bowl section, where tobacco would be inserted, is carved with two human faces, one placed facing the smoker and the other at the back of the bowl. Bands of lead are inlaid around the bowl and the short section meant to connect to the stem. There are remnants of where another figure was attached to the topside of the short stem.