Wonderful Earthenware Face Vessel in the Shape of a Bowl on Display at the National Museum of the American Indian

While vacationing with my nephew Jason last month, we visited the National Museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. We had just seen the Thomas Chandler stoneware exhibit a few days before at the McKissick Museum at the University of South Carolina in Columbia; the Chandler exhibit included a group of spectacular nineteenth face jugs from the Edgefield District in South Carolina.

Although, I was surprised to see this ancient earthenware bowl in the shape of a human skull on display at the National Museum of the American Indian, which was reportedly made during the Mississippian Era in the area known today as Arkansas. Among the features that really piqued my interest about this object was the manufacture of the teeth, which reminded me of the teeth found on some of the Edgefield face jugs that I had just seen at the McKissick Museum.

According to the University of California at Berkeley, "During the Mississippian Era (AD 900-1541), Arkansas' Native American population reached a peak that has been estimated as low as 75,000 and as high as 350,000. Evidence suggests that by 1541, tens of thousands of people lived in compact, often fortified villages along the Mississippi River. An economy based on the cultivation of maize, beans and squash, still supplemented by hunting and the gathering of wild foodstuffs contributed to the growth. 

Two prominent Mississippian groups in Arkansas were the Parkin people, who lived along the St. Francis River, and the Nodena people, who resided along the Mississippi in extreme northeast Arkansas. Both groups built large towns combining platform mounds, plazas, and numerous square houses with thatched roofs. Their arts included elaborately shaped pottery, shell engraving, weaving, sculpture and woodcarving.

Of all the objects that I saw at the National Museum of the American Indian, this is the piece of pottery that I was really in awe of most. This is a great museum that I highly recommend. There is so much more to see than just pottery.

Native American Earthenware Face Vessel

Native American Earthenware Face Vessel in the Shape of a Bowl

Circa 1200-1600 AD

Made During the Mississippian Era in the Area Known Today as Arkansas

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Photo Courtesy: National Museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian Institute

Another View of the Object

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Photo Courtesy: National Museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian Institute

Information Displayed with the Face Vessel

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Photo Courtesy: National Museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian Institute

Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come..