Fig. 264.
SHELL GORGET FROM TENNESSEE.
Square figure with ornamental corners and heads of ivory-billed
woodpecker arranged to form a figure resembling the Swastika.
Fig. 265.
SHELL GORGET FROM TENNESSEE.
Square figure with ornamental corners and heads of ivory-billed
woodpecker arranged to form a figure resembling the Swastika.
Ivory-billed woodpecker.—A series of gorgets in shell have been found ornamented with designs resembling the Swastika, which should be noticed. They combine the square and the cross, while the head and bill of the bird form the gamma indicative of the Swastika. [Fig. 263], taken from the Second Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, 1880-81 (pl. 58), shows one of these shell gorgets from Mississippi, which “was, in all probability, obtained from one of the multitude of ancient sepulchres that abound in the State of Mississippi.” The design is engraved on the convex side, the perforations are placed near the margin, and show much wear by the cord of suspension. In the center is a nearly symmetrical Greek cross inclosed in a circle of 1¼ inches. The spaces between the arms are emblazoned with radiating lines. Outside this circle are twelve small pointed or pyramidal rays. A square framework of four continuous parallel lines looped at the corners incloses this symbol; projecting from the center of each side of this square, opposite the arms of the cross, are four heads of birds representing the ivory-billed woodpecker, the heron, or the swan. The long, slender, and straight mandibles give the Swastika form to the object. Mr. Holmes says (p. 282) that he has been able to find six of these specimens, all of the type described, varying only in detail, workmanship, and finish.
Fig. 266.
SHELL GORGET FROM TENNESSEE.
Square figure with ornamental corners and heads of ivory-billed
woodpecker arranged to form a figure resembling the Swastika.