88 ABOEIGINAL POTTERY OE" EASTERN UNITED STATES [eth.ann.20 



diametiT iuul dcptli to upward of "20 iiu-hes in diumeter and a foot or 

 more in depth. If we include under this head the so-called salt pans, 

 described in the introduction, the greatest diameter will reach perhaps 

 40 inches. In material, color, and surface finish they are g-enerally 

 uniform with vessels of other classes. Their uses were doubtless 

 chiefl}' domestic. 



Many of these bowls arc simply segments of spheres, and vary 

 from a shallow platter to a hollow, perforated globe. Others have 

 elongated, compressed, or conic bodies, with round or flattened bases. 

 The horizontal outline or section may be round, oval, waved, rectan- 

 gular, or irregular. Some have flatfish projections at opposite sides 

 or ends, imitating a common form of wooden tray or basin. Stands 

 and legs are but rarely attached; handles, except those of grotesque 

 character, are rarely seen. A dipper or ladle shape is encountered 

 now and then. 



The ornamentation of bowls was accomplished in a \ ariety of ways. 

 Rim modifications constitute an important feature. In section the 

 margin or lip is square, oblique, round, or grooved. The scallop was 

 often emplo3'ed, and notched and terraced forms, resembling the 

 sacred meal bowls of Zuni, are not uncommon. Relief ornaments 

 such as fillets and nodes and various horizontal projections were also 

 employed, and pleasing effects were produced by the use of incised 

 lines and indentations. 



The potter was not satisfied with these varied forms of decoration, 

 and his fancy led him to add embellishments of elaborate and extra- 

 ordinarj^ character. The nodes and ridges were enlarged and pro- 

 longed and fashioned after a hundred natural and fanciful forms. 

 Shapes of shells, fish, l)irds, beasts, human and imaginary creatures 

 were utilized in a multitude of ways. Especial attention was given to 

 the heads of animals. These were modeled in the round and attached 

 to the rim or side, while other parts of the animal were placed upon 

 different portions of the vessel. 



'l"hc 1)ody of the l)owl was somewhat less profusely ornamented than 

 the rim. The interior as well as the exterior received painted, 

 relieved, and intaglio designs. In the painted bowls the favorite idea 

 for the interior was a series of volutes, in broad lines, radiating from 

 the center of the basin. Groups of festooned lines, either painted or 

 engraved, and arranged to give the effect of imbricated scales, formed 

 also a favorite motive. The exterior surface of the incurved rims of 

 globular vessels offered a tempting surface to the artist and was often 

 tastefull}' decorated in varied styles. 



As a rule the bowls and platters of this region are fairl>' uniform 

 in material, surface finish, and decorative treatment with the other ves- 

 sels of the region. A somewhat unique group of bowls was obtained 

 from a small domiciliary mound near Arkansas Post, Arkansas, two 



