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Pipe Stem

Santee Dakota (Eastern Sioux)

Not on view

This rounded pipe stem appears to pass through the body of a wolflike animal with brass-tack eyes. The creature is a spirit helper, painted red with green spots. When the pipe bowl was joined to the stem, the animal faced the smoker, and this orientation conveyed a sense of connection between the two. The band of horsehair, bird skin, and feathers on the stem has almost entirely disappeared, worn away from long use.

Pipe Stem, Wood (probably ash), pigment, brass tacks, bird skin, blue jay feathers (Cyanocittacristata), Santee Dakota (Eastern Sioux)

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