elongated twisted stem with rectangular cutouts; pictographic carvings on one side; opposite with inked collection number UYE4 1830;  bowl is heavily decorated with lead inlay

overall length 28 inches; stem length 24-1/4 inches; bowl length 5 inches x height 3 inches

[This stem] is probably from the Western Great Lakes.  The series of small incised carvings probably form a prayer in pictographs.  Such messages are often encountered among the Ojibwas.  The sinuous fluted spirals are, of course, carved; but some people believe wrongly that the stem was twisted to form this shape.  This piece could well date before 1800 (Hanson 1994: 116).

Stem is Published:
Spirits in the Art (Hanson 1994: 116-117, plate 120)