| I am a collector of Native American Art and ask for your assistance. I am considering the purchase of a shell gorget, circa 1200AD, Mississippian period [pre-contact period]. gorgets, as a point of explanation, were worn by almost all males in the period of cultural development. The artifact in question is approximately 3 inches in diameter, circular and engraved with a design of that period.
My question is in reference to where the material could have been obtained. While Native Americans traded a variety of materials over large areas, the utilization of mother of pearl is rather unusual. The design on the gorget is of the area that now constitutes Central Tennessee.
Does any of this make sense?
Ay assistance would be very much appreciated. |