Ancient Native American Shaman Cherokee 2-Hole Jasper Gorget/Pendant. Tenn. AACA

Description: Houghton USAAncient Art, Antiques & Fine Collectibles This ancient Native American, two-holed gorget is made of Jasper in the shape of a cross. It was found on the riverbed of the French Broad River in Tennessee prior to 1970. It is XLG in size and measures approximately 3.31” (84 mm) wide X 3.42” (87 mm) tall X .92” (24 mm) thick and weighs 5.8 oz. (164 gr.). This very large, two-hole gorget is shaped like a thick cross “+” and is technically called a Quadra-Concave Drilled Gorget. The four pointed sides are symbolic of the four cardinal directions that are sacred to many Native Americans: North, South, East, and West. The size, shape and RARE use of Jasper all suggest that this gorget was worn by a person of great prestige and power--likely a Cherokee Shaman. When the Cherokees wage war, a Shaman Priest would bring along several sacred objects, medicinal herbs, and a coal from the Sacred Fire. It is possible this large gorget was part of the bundle of sacred objects. {see additional information on Cherokee Symbolism below.} Certain numbers play an important role in the ceremonies of the Cherokee. The numbers four and seven repeatedly occur in myths, stories and ceremonies. The number four represents all the familiar forces, also represented in the four cardinal directions. Archaeologists classify the two holes as “double bevel” holes in a gorget style, pendant. They are period correct in every way and would have been drilled with a solid, hand-held, wooden rod with a hemispherical end that he user would have covered with abrasive dust of a harder stone material—perhaps mixed in a grease matrix. This rod would have been forced with pressure against the jasper while the rod was quickly rotated between the palms of the hands or with a bow type, string drill. These holes are definite proof that this gorget is original and authentic artifact that is hundreds of years old. Condition: As you can see in the macro photos, this piece was broken in ancient times at one of the double-bevel holes. As jasper is a stone known to be subject to internal stress fractures, it is not uncommon to find breaks in jasper. But this Jasper Gorget is still in Museum Quality condition and would be a centerpiece of your Native American collection. This is an absolute "no-brainer" as far as authenticity goes. The jasper has a wonderful patina of mineral aging that only happens when a piece has been buried in the earth for hundreds of years. And as stated above, under magnification, the holes are period correct in every way. Being made from jasper rather than some of the more common materials makes this piece quite collectible and rare. It has a beautiful patina, but please check the pictures carefully to see the condition. The “Tenn. 101” Gorget & Cherokee Symbolism Cherokee is pronounced "CHAIR-uh-kee." It comes from a Muskogee word meaning 'speakers of another language.' Cherokee Indians originally called themselves Aniyunwiya, "The Principal People," but today they accept the name Cherokee, which is spelled and pronounced Tsalagi in their own language. The color, shape, and find location of this four-sided Gorget are all significant. In the Cherokee language, “brown” is spoken as “u-wo-di-ge." The cross shaped gorget is an abstract symbol that refers to the sacred fire, lit from four logs pointing precisely North, South, East and West, which burned at the center of circular, ceremonial grounds as a cosmic diagram and the center of the community. The sacred fire is still regarded by traditional Cherokee today as an earthly representative of the sun, which the ancient Mississippians equated with the Creative Force of the Upperworld. The surrounding square shape with loops evokes both water, a symbol of the waters bounding the Earth from the underworld region, and the earth by referencing the four directions. An elite person wearing a symbolic gorget like this around his neck would have been making a clear statement about his connection between the earthly and the super-natural worlds and thus his ability to wield power in both. Historically, jasper is traceable to all ancient peoples and civilizations. Worn by shamans, priests and kings, it was considered sacred and a powerful protection stone, for both the physical world and in the spiritual realm. It was highly utilized in many cultures for engraving cylinder seals, signet rings, and special talismans depicting astrological and religious images. To Native Americans, jasper was known as “The Rain Bringer” and highly regarded as a stone for dowsing. I believe it is most significant that this Gorget was found in the French Broad River in Tennessee. The Cherokee always believed that the river, or "Long Man," was always sacred, and the practice of going to water for purification and other ceremonies was at one time very common. Today, the river or any other body of moving water, such as a creek, is considered a sacred site and going to water is still a respected practice by some Cherokees. Modern healers believe that brown jasper is connected to the Earth and encourages a deep ecological awareness. It is thought to bring both stability and balance to one’s life, and is particularly grounding as a worry stone, or for dissolving a sudden rush of fear, anger, or panic. It facilitates deep meditation and centering, and grants access to past lives for karmic healing. This very large two-hole gorget is shaped like a thick cross “+” and is technically called a Quadra-Concave Drilled Gorget. The four pointed sides are symbolic of the four cardinal directions that are sacred to many Native Americans: North, South, East, and West. Certain numbers play an important role in the ceremonies of the Cherokee. The numbers four and seven repeatedly occur in myths, stories and ceremonies. The number four represents all the familiar forces, also represented in the four cardinal directions. When the Cherokees wage war, a Shaman Priest would bring along several sacred objects, medicinal herbs, and a coal from the Sacred Fire. It is possible this large gorget was part of the bundle of sacred objects. Traditionally the Cherokee are deeply concerned with keeping things separated and in the proper classification or category. For example, when sacred items are not in use they are wrapped in deerskin or white cloth, and kept in a special box or other place. The circle is another symbol familiar to traditional Cherokee. The Stomp Dance and other ceremonies involve movements in a circular pattern. In ancient times, the fire in the council house was built by arranging the wood in a continuous "X" so that the fire would burn in a circular path. REF: Information provided by the Cherokee Nation Cultural Resource Center. Provenance: History of Ownership This amazing, brown jasper gorget comes from eastern Tennessee and was found several years ago on the French Broad River. It comes from a private collection and still bears and old collection number “101 TENN” that is penned on the front. The French Broad River flows 218 miles (351 km) from near the town of Rosman in Transylvania County, North Carolina, into the state of Tennessee. Its confluence with the Holston River at Knoxville is the beginning of the Tennessee River. The river flows through the counties of Transylvania, Buncombe, Henderson, and Madison in North Carolina, and Cocke, Jefferson, Sevier, and Knox in Tennessee, and drains large portions of the Pisgah National Forest and the Cherokee National Forest. One Cherokee ritual, called “going to water,” was performed on many occasions — at the new moon, before special dances, after bad dreams, or during illnesses. Going to water cleansed the spirit as well as the body. The ritual was performed at sunrise. Cherokee men, women, and children would face the east, step into a river or creek, and dip under the water seven times. When they emerged, they would be rid of bad feelings and ready to begin anew, with a clear mind. Source: Maintaining Balance: The religious world of the Cherokees, by Karen Raley Reprinted by permission from Tar Heel Junior Historian 37, no. 2 (Spring 1998): 2–5, copyright North Carolina Museum of History. Please examine the attached photos carefully as they are part of the description and bid accordingly.All photos taken at 4x magnification and the stand and the AA battery are not part of the sale, just there so you can better judge the size. Note: Each object I sell is professionally researched and compared with similar objects in the collections of the finest museums in the world. I have been dealing in fine antiquities for almost 50 years and although certainly not an expert in every field, I have been honored to appraise, buy, collect, and enjoy and recently sell some of the finest ancient art in the world. When in doubt, I have worked with dozens of subject matter experts to determine the condition and authenticity of numerous antiquities and antiques. This documentation helps to insure you are buying quality items and helps to protect your investment. I offer a full Money-Back Guarantee if a recognized authority in antiquities disputes the authenticity of this fine artifact. Please ask any questions you may have before you bid! All sales are Final, unless I have seriously misrepresented this item! Please look at the macro photos, taken indoors, under artificial light carefully as they are part of the description. Member of the Authentic Artifact Collectors Association (AACA) & the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) Per e-Bay's rules, PayPal only please! FREE USA SHIPPING includes insurance and is accurate for all 50 States!

Price: 390 USD

Location: Sequim, Washington

End Time: 2024-11-22T01:09:08.000Z

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