holmes] 



USE OF TEXTILES IN MANUFACTURE 



71 



markings observed. On fragmeiit.s of imperfectly preserved \'c.ssels 

 distinctions can not readil_y he drawn between disconnected impres 

 sions made by the partial application of pliable fal)rics or textile 

 covered stamps and the sj'stematically connected imprintings made by 

 the surface of a basket. The unwary are likely even to mistake the 

 rude patterns made bj' impressing ))its of cords in geometric arrange- 

 ment about the rims of vases for the imprints of baskets. 



Use oe Pliable Fabrics in Modeling 



Pliable faljrics, sucli as sacks, nets, and cloth, wercinade use of as 

 exterior supports in holding or handling the vessel while it was still 

 in a plastic condition. Mr Mooney sajs that the Cherokees use a rag 

 to lift the pot at one stage in its manufacture, and it is easy to see 

 that cloths or nets wrapped abovit the exterior surface of the plastic 

 walls would serve to prevent quick drying and consequent cracking of 



Fig. 35 — Fragment of a cooking pot showing impressions of a net-covered paddle, North Carolina. 

 About three-fourths actual size. 



the clay along a weak line. Binding up with cloths or nets would inter- 

 fere with the deforming tendency of pressure during the modeling 

 process and of sinking from weight of the plastic walls. Mr Sellers, 

 a verj' acute observer, believed that the modeling of certain large salt 

 basins was done on core-like molds of clay. In such a case, or where, 

 as observed by Hunter, blocks of wood were used, the cloth would 

 serve an important purpose in facilitating the remo\al of the plastic or 

 partly dried clay shell and in supporting it during subsecjuent stages 

 of the shaping and finishing processes. Such removal ^voukl proljabh' 

 be accomplished )>y turning the mold, witli the vase upon it, upside 

 down, and allowing the latter to fall ort' into the fabric by its own 

 weight or bj' the means of pressure from the hands. An excellent 

 example of the impressions made on the surface of vases In" fabrics 

 applied in the course of manufacture is shown in figure 33. The 



