holmes.] BOTTLES WITH ANIMAL HEADS. 423 



or the elaboration of bottles. Birds, beasts, fishes, and reptiles are 

 treated in a similar manner. 



The owl was a favorite subject with the potter, probably on account 

 of the upright, compact figure of the body, or possibly because of some 

 especial regard in which this bird was held. 



A rather handsome specimen is shown in Fig. 445. The modeling is 

 more than usually successful, and the surface is carefully finished. The 

 wings are treated in a pleasing but highly conventional manner. The 

 plumage is indicated by alternate bands of pale-red and yellow-gray, 

 the latter being the ground color. These bands are outlined by fine 

 incised lines. The remainder of the body is painted red. The vessel 

 rests upon the feet and tail — a natural tripod. In many cases the head 

 of the bird forms the top of the neck of the bottle — the body of the ves- 

 sel itself being plain and globular. 



Fig. 446.— Hale's Point.Teunessee.— J. Fig. 447.— Arkansas (!)•— \- 



The heads of animals are treated in the same manner, as may be seen 

 by reference to Figs. 441! and 447. 



The head shown in Fig. 440 is clearly that of a bear. The whole ves- 

 sel is painted red. Fig. 447 illustrates a small dark bottle, surmounted 

 by a head of nondescript character. The aperture in these vessels is 

 generally at the back of the head. 



Fish and reptiles appear somewhat more rarely in connection with 

 high-necked bottles. The Davenport Museum has recently acquired a 

 fine example, painted in red and white, which has the head and other 

 features of a fish, modeled in relief upon the sides and bottom of the 

 body. A small, dark vessel of like character is illustrated in the Third 

 Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology. 



In the example given in Figs. 448 and 449 the upper part of the neck 

 has been modified iu such a way as to accommodate a curious, medallion- 

 like relievo of the human face, while in Figs. 450 and 451 the neck is re- 

 placed by grotesque heads, the latter being intended apparently for an 

 owl. 



These potters dealt with the human figure in a very bold maimer for 

 savages. They were evidently capable of representing many creatures 

 with accuracy, but preferred grotesque or conventional forms. A man 



