RELICS FROM THE MOUNDS AND STONE GRAVES. 145 



In many of the vases, a liigh polish has been imparted to the exterior. 



From the great variety in size and form, it would appear that they were to a 

 great extent made in accordance with the taste and skill of each potter and tribe, 

 and not on established models. 



We have already presented, in preceding chapters, detailed descriptions of many 

 of their interesting relics, such as the painted vases from the burial mounds on 

 the banks of the Cumberland and Harpeth Rivers, the animal-shaped vases, and 

 those ornamented with the human countenance. 



The art of manufacturing vessels of various kinds from clay was practised by a 

 large number of North American nations. References to these are found in Du 

 Pratz^ and Adair.^ 



One of the most striking peculiarities of some of the vases manufactured by 

 the aborigines of Tennessee is the opening of the mouth at the side of the neck ; 

 and I have called attention to this in several hollow idols, which appear to have 

 been used as vessels. I carefully examined the ancient and modern vases, 

 contained in the museums of Edinburgh, Liverpool, London, Oxford, Cambridge, 

 and Paris, in order to discover, if possible, Avhether any ancient or modern nation 

 manufactured vases with the mouth opening at right angles to the ordinary open- 

 ing of the vase ; but I observed none which corresponded to those of the stone 

 graves and burial mounds of Tennessee. 



Upon comparison, it will be seen, that these vases resemble to a certain extent, 

 both in design and finish, similar works of art by the ancient Mexicans and 

 Peruvians. 



Many of this class of works of art, by the aborigines of Tennessee, will in their 

 truthfulness and simplicity, in the accuracy of the representations of natural 

 objects, and in the spirit of their designs, compare favorably, not only with those of 

 the Mexicans and Peruvians, but even with similar works of art by the ancient 

 Persians and Egyptians. 



' Yol. ii, p. 226. ' History American Indians, p. 424. 



19 June, 1876 



