MISSISSIPPIAN SHELL GORGETS

The Mississippian period ranged from about 900AD to 1600AD.
The height of this cultural horizon peaked around 1350, and drastically declined with the arrival of the European Contact Period. During this time some of the most artistic shell engravings and other ornaments, implements and utensils were manufactured by the aboriginal craftsman of the eastern part of what is now the United States. The items listed below are authentic examples that I have collected over many years.

Engraved Turtle Mask

The Ghost of the Gulf

Item #0002. A Mississippian marine shell mask gorget manufactured from the outer surface of a conch shell. It has a wonderful engraving of a turtle on the concave side and the convex side has a mask face with nose column, eyes, and mouth. It has very symmetrical double step side carvings. Measurements are: 3 7/8" tall, and 3 5/8" wide. It is authenticated by Tom Davis, GRADE 10. Found in Bracken County, Kentucky. 1450AD-1750AD. A rare top shelf collectible.

Rattlesnake

Item #0001. An excellent authentic example of a moderately patinated, fenestrated marine shell Brakebill Rattlesnake Gorget measuring 2 11/16" tall and 2 7/8" wide. It has a total of seven fenestrations, four of which separate the gorget into quarters, and three that assist in highlighting the mouth and eyes. It has no damage or restoration, and was found at the Earnest farm site, in Murray County, Georgia. 1350AD-1550AD
Triple authentication papers: Tom Davis, grade 8, Jerry Dickey, grade 8, and Alton Martin.

Rattlesnake

Item #120. A fully intact authentic, moderately patinated fenestrated Mississippian shell rattlesnake gorget measuring 2 1/8" wide and 2 7/8" tall. This gorget was suspended through the top two fenestrations when worn as indicated by the liberal use wear at those locations. This is from the old collection of the noted Edward Payne, having his catalog number still attached to the reverse surface of the gorget. Provenance is Tennessee. Circa 1350AD - 1600AD. It has been authenticated by Jerry Dickey #08-0138 Grade 8.

Nashville 2 Triskel

Item #035. A rare authentic intact Nashville II Mississippian Triskle marine shell gorget with unusually large scallops that are typical of the Nashville II style, measuring a symmetrical 2 7/8" diameter. It was found on Chickamaugua Creek near Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee. Circa: 1300AD-1425AD.
This fine conch shell gorget was authenticated by Jerry Dickey # 07-0959, and also Alton Martin.

Concentric Cross Gorget

Item #211. A Mississippian engraved Shell Gorget. It is heavily patinated and exhibits weak lines, yet the rare terraced cruciform is still distinguishable. It measures 2 1/2" wide and 2 3/8" tall, and the concentric cross form is described in George Grant McCurdy's 1913 publication "Shell Gorgets of Missouri" and Brain & Phillips publication "Shell Gorgets", as a Southeast Missouri style. 1000AD-1500AD. Certificate of Authentication: Jerry Dickey. #09-0765.

McBee Mask

Item #034. A typical McBee type Mississippian shell mask gorget from Williams Island, Tennessee River, Hamilton County, Tennessee. 1400AD - 1750AD. It measures 4 3/8" tall and 3 3/4" wide. Although unusual for a McBee, there is an engraved hairline along the top edge, and two holes for suspension with another drilled hole above the left eye perhaps for suspension of an ornament. It has a certificate of authentication from Jerry Dickey # 07-0304 Grade 8.

Weeping Eye

Item #0007. This Mississippian shell mask gorget has a single line weeping eye motif under each drilled eye, and a distinct carved nose column. It is totally intact, well preserved, and measures 3 1/8" tall and 3 1/16" wide. Found on the Mississippi/Tennessee border. It is a former Dan Stroud collection. Circa 1200AD - 1450AD. Certificate of Authenticity: Jackson Galleries Bill Jackson, Alex Pryzgoda #20391.

Tellico Plain

Item #46. A late Mississippian period conch shell gorget found at the Tellico site in Monroe County, Tennessee. It measures 4 9/16" tall and 4 13/16" wide, having two center drilled holes for suspension Circa: 1350AD - 1600AD. Former F Riddle collection. Excellent preservation. It has a certificate of authenticity from Tom Davis # 45038 Grade 10.

Hamilton Plain

Item #031. A well preserved moderately patinated Mississippian marine shell gorget measuring 4 1/8" wide and 3 5/8" tall. It has two holes for suspension and was found in Hamilton County, Tennessee. Circa: 1200AD-1500AD. Jerry Dickey certificate of authenticity # 07-0303. GRADE 8

Item #0005. A well preserved gorget with a single line engraved around the concave side about 1/2" inside it's edge. It measures 2 3/4" tall, and 2 13/16" wide. Found by Herschel Love of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Herschel and his brother Joe were religious about their hunting for artifacts on the Tennessee, and Hiwassee Rivers, and both drowned doing what they loved most. It has his writing on the back giving Provenience. 1350AD-1650AD. Ex Dan Stroud. Jerry Dickey certificate of authenticity #05-0115. Grade 8

Item #030. An extremely well preserved Proto Historic (1500AD-1650AD) Shell gorget from Tennessee measuring 5 1/4" wide, and 4 7/8" tall. It has tally marks in groups of 5 to 7 along the edge and there are shallow punctated holes drilled into the surface at the top. This gorget was found plowed out, with blue glass seed beads, and some fine shell beads were also present in context. The presence of the glass beads with this gorget, place it firmly in a brief period of Prehistoric/Historic transition in the Southeastern US, and confirms European contact with Native cultures during this time. Jerry Dickey certificate of authenticity # 07-0305. GRADE 8

elmoreco.ala.gorget.jpg

Item #008. Mississippian Shell Gorget from Elmore County, Alabama.
A solid, moderately patinated plain shell gorget measuring a symmetrical 3 1/2" diameter.
Jerry Dickey certificate of authentication. #05-0114. Grade 8

Item #0006. A fine Mississippian shell gorget measuring 2 15/16" tall, and 3 1/4" wide. A well preserved piece. 1200AD-1600AD.
Certificates of Authenticity: Jerry Dickey. #05-0116 Grade 8+

Item #0003. A Hopewell Annular style gorget with a large cutout in the center, and 2 smaller holes on either side, approximately 2 1/2" wide, and 2 1/2" tall. A strand of small shell beads were found associated at same Boone Co, Ohio site. 100BC-500AD. Former Taylor collection. Certificate of Authenticity: Jackson Galleries #18743.

Item #TS7. A turtle shell gorget made from the bottom flap of a southeastern box turtle. It measures 2" wide and 1" tall, having two drilled holes for suspension. Found in rock shelter in Union County, Illinois. Scarce.

Item #009. A small undecorated shell gorget measuring 1 1/2" tall and 1 5/8" wide. Old # penned onto convex side: #v-80-#11. Found in Hines Cave, Pulaski County, Kentucky. Former Coulter collection documents have it as a Mississippian period piece, but Bill Jackson papered it as Woodland. Certificate#:18740.

Item #186. A Mississippian period McBee type shell mask measuring 4 1/2" tall and 3 7/8" wide. From the Baxter Farm site in Murrary County GA. 1400AD - 1750AD.
Certificates of Authenticity:
Jerry Dickey:#08-0703 Grade 7, Alton Martin:# 0040.

Item #187. A small heavily patinated Mississippian period shell McBee type mask measuring 2 7/8" tall and 2 7/8" wide". From the Baxter Farm site in Murrary County GA. 1400AD-1750AD.
Certificates of Authenticity: Jerry Dickey: #08-0703 Grade 7, and Alton Martin: #0040.

Item: # 219g. A Mississippian Shell Gorget measuring a symmetrical 1 1/2" tall and 1 1/2" wide. It is plain in design and was found in Kentucky. Ex Dan Cummings.

Item #196. A square two hole Shell Gorget measuring 1 7/8" tall, and 2" wide. Arkansas

Item #194. A square two hole Gorget/Pendant measuring 1 1/2" tall and 1 1/2" wide. Excellent preservation. Tennessee River, Tennessee.

Item #BG9. A very small 2 hole bead style gorget which was probably used as a clothing ornament.

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