Mississippian. <em>Kneeling Figure Effigy Pipe</em>, 1400–1500. Stone, pigment, 4 13/16 x 6 11/16 x 3 3/8 in. (12.2 x 17 x 8.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Frank Sherman Benson Fund and the Henry L. Batterman Fund, 37.2802PA. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.2802PA_SL1.jpg)

Mississippian. Kneeling Figure Effigy Pipe, 1400–1500. Stone, pigment, 4 13/16 x 6 11/16 x 3 3/8 in. (12.2 x 17 x 8.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Frank Sherman Benson Fund and the Henry L. Batterman Fund, 37.2802PA. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.2802PA_SL1.jpg)

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Kneeling Figure Effigy Pipe

Arts of the Americas

On this pipe, a male figure is depicted in a kneeling position with his torso leaning forward, hands on shins, and head upright. He is naked except for beaded bands on the biceps and wrists and just below the knees. The elaborate hairstyle includes two coils with braids terminating in knots hanging over the shoulders and a forelock across the forehead, decorated with beads. Scholars suggest that the figure’s posture, nakedness, and hairstyle were associated with shamanic religious practices and that the pipe was likely used by a healer or a priest who smoked tobacco to achieve a trancelike state.

CULTURE Mississippian

MEDIUM Stone, pigment

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS

Possible place made: Georgia, United States
Possible place made: Tennessee, United States

DATES 1400–1500

DIMENSIONS 4 13/16 x 6 11/16 x 3 3/8 in. (12.2 x 17 x 8.6 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas

ACCESSION NUMBER 37.2802PA

CREDIT LINE Frank Sherman Benson Fund and the Henry L. Batterman Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Carved grey stone pipe bowl representing a youthful male in a kneeling position. Crouching with arms pulled back along his sides, his head is strained forward, and his mouth is open with teeth exposed. His hairdo is elaborate with two beads hanging down over his forehead. He is wearing multiple beaded armbands, wristbands, and leg bands. The bowl of the pipe is carved into his back. Condition: excellent.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Mississippian. Kneeling Figure Effigy Pipe, 1400–1500. Stone, pigment, 4 13/16 x 6 11/16 x 3 3/8 in. (12.2 x 17 x 8.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Frank Sherman Benson Fund and the Henry L. Batterman Fund, 37.2802PA. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.2802PA_SL1.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 37.2802PA_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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Kneeling Figure Effigy Pipe

Arts of the Americas

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