Got something interesting here

[cti4sw]

Not sure if it's NA, souvenir, modern... Made of bone or antler. It used to have a leather finger loop that disintegrated after I got it home. First pic is laying flat, second is on one side, last pic is face down. Measurements are on white sheet of paper.



EDIT: It's got a pretty sharp point on it.


UPDATE:

Pics of the end:



Pics of Hole #1:



Pics of Hole #2:



Pic of the surface:



Okay, here's what we know:

1. It's old.
2. Pretty damn old, at that. The color of the bone indicates this.
3. The holes are neatly drilled, but Indians had good drilling techniques.
4. "Post-contact" could be anywhere from the 1620s to the 1800s.
5. The leather loop was too small for a necklace, probably a double finger loop.
6. It's difficult to deeply dye or stain bone; the green is probably from prolonged exposure to brass.

 

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[quito]

Looks like a very nice bone awl. The holes though don't look terribly primitive, in that they are exactly the same size, and from the pics, they appear straight sided. You don't see that often with primitive drilling. Post contact maybe? Nice for sure!

 

[Tnmountains]

Looks like a very nice bone awl. The holes though don't look terribly primitive, in that they are exactly the same size, and from the pics, they appear straight sided. You don't see that often with primitive drilling. Post contact maybe? Nice for sure!

I agree on post contact as I am seeing dye of some type which may not have survived on an older piece. Interesting item with the 2 holes. Look at the holes and think of primitive drilling techniques. I like it.

 

[cti4sw]

"Post-contact" refers to what? After 1492, when Columbus sailed the oceans blue?? lol

That's my first impression of "post-contact" but my logical side says probably what, late 17th/18th up until late 19th?

Looks like a very nice bone awl. The holes though don't look terribly primitive, in that they are exactly the same size, and from the pics, they appear straight sided. You don't see that often with primitive drilling. Post contact maybe? Nice for sure!

Actually, Hole #1 looks to me like it was worked from both sides, with a ridge in the middle giving the appearance of a seam on the inside. Hole #2 has this as well but it's much less pronounced.

 

[Get-the-point]

Nice awl that looks like it may have been used as a historic adornment. Definitely a necklace and a large one if the holes are correct. Problem I'm having with it is that the holes do not show suspencion wear. That is indicative of almost all drilled and suspended artifacts.

 

[cti4sw]

Nice awl that looks like it may have been used as a historic adornment. Definitely a necklace and a large one if the holes are correct. Problem I'm having with it is that the holes do not show suspencion wear. That is indicative of almost all drilled and suspended artifacts.

It did have a leather strap on it that disintegrated when I got it home, but the leather strap was made into a sort of finger loop, not a necklace. I've edited the original post to clarify that.

 

[H-2 CHARLIE]

is this made from whale bone or a bison bone ?

 

[cti4sw]

is this made from whale bone or a bison bone ?

Not a clue and no idea how to determine it either. My first inclination was deer antler but I'm probably wrong.

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

natives could drill clean holes...

may we see a clean shot of the end of the piece...the square end?
thank you...if not, take a 10x loupe...check for saw marks...not rub marks...

 

[cti4sw]

natives could drill clean holes...

may we see a clean shot of the end of the piece...the square end?
thank you...if not, take a 10x loupe...check for saw marks...not rub marks...

I'll do you one better. We have a Leica EZ4HD here at work. I'll update the original post with the scope pics.

 

[fishstick]

What are the holes for if not suspension??

 

[cti4sw]

What are the holes for if not suspension??

I'm not saying they wouldn't be for suspension. I am saying that maybe it's not for a necklace.

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

thanks for the updated photos...
perhaps a hair pin...or a shawl pin

the bone is old...not a modern drilling...the end is worn smooth...not, a crude saw cut...{not even a jeweler saw}.
bone is real difficult to dye...or to age...can't imagine someone made that piece to play a game on you...
the stain is probable contact with old brass{buttons or rivets}...corroding brass...that stains bone blue...

coffee and tea...several months of Arizona sun, an I almost could match that bone color...but not very deep...that stain is through an through...
funny, I made an almost identical piece for my hair...took forever to get the saw blade marks off the end...haven't drilled the holes yet...that would keep my hair in a bun , but difficult to untangle...
too much information?

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

oh forgot...

FANTASTIC FIND!

 

[fishstick]

I'm not saying they wouldn't be for suspension. I am saying that maybe it's not for a necklace.

I wonder what for then? Did you find it or purchase it? Did the leather strap go thru both holes?

 

[cti4sw]

I wonder what for then? Did you find it or purchase it? Did the leather strap go thru both holes?

I believe I have previously stated that the leather strap that was in it was short, like a double finger loop. Oh wait, here it is, in post #6:

It did have a leather strap on it that disintegrated when I got it home, but the leather strap was made into a sort of finger loop, not a necklace. I've edited the original post to clarify that.

I found it, on a property that has colonial ties in an area that was previously occupied by the Lenni Lenape tribe.

 

[cti4sw]

thanks for the updated photos...
perhaps a hair pin...or a shawl pin

the bone is old...not a modern drilling...the end is worn smooth...not, a crude saw cut...{not even a jeweler saw}.
bone is real difficult to dye...or to age...can't imagine someone made that piece to play a game on you...
the stain is probable contact with old brass{buttons or rivets}...corroding brass...that stains bone blue...

coffee and tea...several months of Arizona sun, an I almost could match that bone color...but not very deep...that stain is through an through...
funny, I made an almost identical piece for my hair...took forever to get the saw blade marks off the end...haven't drilled the holes yet...that would keep my hair in a bun , but difficult to untangle...
too much information?

Idk, are you a woman or a drag queen? lol, doesn't matter to me either way if your info is accurate.

 

[cti4sw]

I just read that the Lenni Lenape tribe used deer and elk bones for awls and other tools: Welcome to Lenape Lifeways

 

[fishstick]

I believe I have previously stated that the leather strap that was in it was short, like a double finger loop. Oh wait, here it is, in post #6:



I found it, on a property that has colonial ties in an area that was previously occupied by the Lenni Lenape tribe.

Yea I read that but it never said if it went thru both holes or not. Just wonderin! THANX.. HH

 

[trevmma]

im not reading all this crap, lol, bone is easy to reproduce, but ancients drilled PERFECT holes, they had to cause there was no pushing flint or can at a high rpm though a object. so if its not a perfect circle and has all diff taperings then its not ancient. onless drilled from both sides such as a hopewell piece. holes look fine to me, and maybe they never used it cause that happens sometimes. but when i find bone , its usually solid white, and if a tool it has a gleam to it but no dark pigment is left, tough call, send it to baker
lol