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Author Topic: Copper bear claw adornment -Woodland period  (Read 5905 times)

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Offline swamp monkey

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Copper bear claw adornment -Woodland period
« on: March 08, 2012, 09:29:50 pm »
I saw this in the Chicago Field Museum and immediately said to myself, "I bet I could make that!"  SO I tried.  Cutting this out was easy enough but I used thicker sheet copper so it took a bit more finesse to accomplish.  Getting clean edges was another issue.  After fussing that over I then left it out in the elements to get a weathered look.  The originals were Hopewell in origin and can be found in the Early Americas exhibit on the first floor. 

My only question is, was this a chest adornment? or something to wear over a loin cloth?  They are fairly big as adornments go.  7X5 inches.  Anyone have an idea?  It has holes that indicate it was attached by cordage. 

thanks for looking. 
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Offline Gus

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Re: Copper bear claw adornment -Woodland period
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2012, 01:50:02 am »
Pretty cool looking...

Does the original piece have holes for hanging?

-gus
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Offline bowtarist

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Re: Copper bear claw adornment -Woodland period
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2012, 03:26:06 am »
 8) dpgratz
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Offline swamp monkey

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Re: Copper bear claw adornment -Woodland period
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2012, 10:54:54 am »
Quote from: Gus on March 09, 2012, 01:50:02 am
Pretty cool looking...

Does the original piece have holes for hanging?

-gus

look closely at the outer fingers of the originals.  right where the finger constricts before joining the pad there is a hole.  curious.
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Offline Gus

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Re: Copper bear claw adornment -Woodland period
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2012, 02:36:10 pm »
I see em now.

Hmmm...

Perhaps worn as a mark of Leadership or Accomplishment within the tribe or band?
Head Man, Medicine Man or War Leader?

-gus
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Offline Sparrow

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Re: Copper bear claw adornment -Woodland period
« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2012, 04:18:58 pm »
Way cool ! My guess would be chest,but I don't know nothing.  '  Frank
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Offline Jude

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Re: Copper bear claw adornment -Woodland period
« Reply #6 on: March 19, 2012, 10:29:46 am »
The wrist profile makes me think chest, just below the neck.  At first I was thinking it might be a gorget, to protect the throat, but it's too flat for that.  Nice reproduction :)
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