384 



ANCIENT POTTERY OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. 



each consisting of a large central node with four or five smaller ones, 

 surrounding it, set about tbe rim, the conception being that of four 

 shells joined in one vessel, with the noded apexes turned outward and 

 the bases inward. 



A still more highly conventionalized form is shown in/. The cup is 

 unsyminetrical in outline, and has a few imperfect nodes near one cor- 



/ 



Fig. 374. — Clay vessels imitating shells. 



ner, but its resemblance to a shell would hardly be recognized by one 

 unacquainted with more realistic renderings of like subjects. In g we 

 have an imitation of a shell cup placed within a plain cup. 



A very good illustration of thisclass of vessel is given in Fig. 375. It is 

 evidently intended to imitate a trimmed conch shell. The apex and a few 

 of the surrounding nodes are shown at the right, while the base or spine 

 forms a projecting lip at the left. A coil of clay forms the apex. This 



Fig. 375. — Bowl imitating a modified conch shell. — ^. 



is carried outward in a sinistral spiral to the noded shoulder. We have 

 here a suggestion of the origin of a favorite decorative motive, the 

 scroll, a clew, however, which the paucity of examples makes it difficult 

 to follow up satisfactorily. 



Although we may not be able to arrive at any definite conclusion in 

 regard to the origin and significance of the practice of modeling life 

 forms in clay, we are certain of one thing, that it became an important 

 feature in the potter's art, and that in due course of time the practice 

 broke loose from the restraints of birth and tradition and asserted its 



