| Description |
Purse carved from section of elk antler; Overall shape is rectangular and ovoid in cross-section; Center section of antler has been carved away, leaving raised sections at either end, which are then deeply scored with a series of four parallel lines that completely encircle the piece, giving the appearance of 5 parallel bands; A wide elongated slit with rounded ends is cut into the upper edge of the antler and from that the interior of the antler has been hollowed out; Just below the rectangular opening on the exterior, a row of six contiguous triangles is lightly incised, and each triangle is marked with parallel hachure lines; Purses of this type were used by several California Indian groups for storing and carrying dentalium shell money. |
