92 



ABORIGINAL POTTERY OF EASTERN UNITED STATES [eth.anx.20 



In plate xiv we have selections from the very large group of high- 

 necked bottles. The piece shown in a is a good illustration of a type 

 of form common to Missouri and Arkansas. The neck is high and 

 cylindric and tlie body resemliles a slightly Hattoned globe. Set 

 about the shoulder are four medallion-like faces, the features of which 

 are modeled roughly in low relief. The ware is of the ordinary dark, 

 slightly polished variety. There are few vases from the mound 

 region more pleasing in appearance than that shown in li. It is a 

 black, well-polished bottle with neck expanding below and body pecul- 

 iarly flattened beneath. The body is encircled by a liand of chaste 

 and elaborate scroll work. 



A handsome l)ottlc-shaped vase with flaring- lip is shown in e. The 

 neck widens toward the base and the body is subglobular. being slightly 

 conical al>ove and rather abruptly expanded at the periphery. The 



surface is onl}' moderately smooth. 

 The body is ornamented with a hand- 

 some design of incised lines, which con- 

 sists of a scroll pattern, divided into 

 four sections by perpendicular lines. 

 The vase shown in d is compound, 

 and represents a bottle set within the 

 mouth of a pot. The neck is high, 

 wide, and flaring, and rests on the 

 back of a rudely-modeled frog, which 

 lies extended on the upper surface 

 of the body. The notched encircling 

 ridge, beneath the feet of the ci'eature, represents the rim of the lower 

 vessel, which is a pot with compr(>ssed globular body and short, wide 

 neck. This vase is of the dark, dead-surfaced ware and is quite plain. 

 Four vertical ridges take the place of handles. 



One of the most striking of the bottle-shaped vases is shown in e. It 

 is symmetric, well-proportioned, and well-flnished. The color is 

 dark and the surface is roughened by a multitude of pits which have 

 resulted from the decay of shell particles used for tempering. The 

 paste crumbles to a bi'ownish dust when struck or pressed forcibly. 

 The most remarkable feature of the piece is the broad, convex, hood- 

 like collar that encii'cles the neck and spreads out over the body like 

 an inverted saucer. This collar is curiously wrought in incised lines 

 and low ridges, b}^ means of which grotesque faces, suggesting owls, 

 are produced. The eyes are readily detected, being indicated by low 

 knobs with central pits, each surrounded by three concentric circles. 

 They are arranged in pairs on opposite sides. Between the eyes of 

 each pair an incipient nose and mouth may be made out. The face is 

 outlined below by the lower edge of the collar and above by a low 

 indented ridofe crossins' the collar tanyent to the base of the neck. The 



Fig. 51 — Bottle ornamentcc] with four en- 

 graved human figures, Arkansas. Onc' 

 fifth actual size. 



