Fig. 384.—Grotesque heads.
A good degree of skill is shown in the modeling of varieties of birds. A fair idea of the accuracy of these potters in this direction will be conveyed by the series of heads shown in Fig. 383. Several species of ducks are apparently differentiated, one of which, resembling the summer duck closely, is given in a, while the head given in b, although possibly also intended for a duck, is much like a grouse or partridge. The pigeon or dove is seen in c, the vulture or eagle in d, and the owl in e.
Fig. 385.—Bowl with grotesque head: Pecan Point, Arkansas.—⅓.
Fig. 386.—Bowl with grotesque head: Pecan Point, Arkansas.—½.
It would be difficult to imagine more grotesque and outlandish heads than those attached to the bowls illustrated in Figs. 385 and 386. The vessels themselves are of the usual type, rudely modeled and finished and very heavy. The first is dark in color, the other red. The strange animal here represented is certainly not a close copy of anything in nature. It is characterized by upright ears, a high bulbous snout and a grinning mouth. The teeth in some cases resemble the fangs of a serpent. The eyes consist of rounded nodes; and often curved lines, incised or in relief, extend from them or the mouth down the sides of the neck. The tail at the opposite end of the vessel is turned upward and coiled. The type specimens of this form are from Pecan Point, Arkansas.
Fig. 387.—Bowl with grotesque handle: Scanlon's Landing, Arkansas.—⅓.