Shell Gorgets

[Shannon Graham]

Many folks wonder how the shell gorgets were used....ran across this image on eBay showing the cut and drilled shell pieces suspended around the neck.



Shannon

[joyce]

Maybe thats how my shell was used. It could have been worn like that and also that would explain the age and how its carved so nice. It very well could have been worn by An American Indian, a historical piece instead of woodland or Mississippian. :cool : Joyce

[Steve Valentine]

Nice looking picture Shannon. My brother got me a book a few years back that has a lot of pictures of some of the more prominent Indian Cheifs of the principle Tribes during the 1800's and there a lot of similar pictures in there showing how they wore their Shell and Bone ornaments. Some of the Beaded Necklaces they wore were just incredible.

Here's a couple picture of 2 Shell Gorgets I own. The first one I bought at an auction of a man that my father knew very well. I had seen his collection a few times before he passed away and I always admired this piece so I made sure I got it at the auction. He had found it when the Scioto River had came up out of it's banks and flowed through a site exposing a bunch of graves. Him and his buddy just happened to be the first one on the site after the flood and they removed all the artifacts they found and reburied the skeletons. Of course, this was back in the 40's when something like that wasn't frowned upon or illegal. He was 93 when he died and had collected since he was a young boy so you can imagine the collection he had.

The second one is a personal find from a Ft Ancient site I hunt. Even though it's broken, I have seen enough pictures of these from this same site that I know it would have had 2 holes drilled in it for suspension. I thought about sending it to Dr. Gomer to have it fixed and still may one day.

[Cannonman17]

Outstanding quality pieces.

[Mojave]

A couple pics including the famous one of Powhattan and the one I dug up a while back...

[rmartin]

That is a real beauty Mohave! Ray

[Mud Hawk]

I'm probably going to burn in Hell for this but...



OK, I am back in "serious" mode now. Mojave, that gorget is beautiful. Were they only for decoration, or did they serve any practical purpose. I would think if they were hung at the right height, stone, and of decent size, they would give a little protection to the chest/heart... or closer to the neck to prevent a slitting.

[Mojave]

I read somewhere they were superstitious or believed the neck area was the most vulnerable part of the body so the gorget (latin I think for gorge, or throat??) was for physical protection. They probably took on decorative meanings though.