Bone Items-Native Am.-Update:Added Bone Sewing Needle

[Breezie]

Hey Gang, Over the years I've dug many bone buttons and a few of these other bone thingies. I know some of the bone buttons were used for shirts, underwear, etc. during the Civil War, but don't know what these other bone items could be. I'm assuming they were used on clothing, but for what? Are these Native American? The long pipe bone item is hollow. Any ideas and thoughts are always appreciated. Breezie

 

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[Woodland Detectors]

Re: Bone Items-Native American ?

The buttons are Native American in my opinion Donna.
Here are some rare ones from Valley Forge. The rings seem to be of deer antler. I think the one pipe looking one is a bead from a necklace.

 

[TiredIron]

Re: Bone Items-Native American ?

The rings...although small remind me of horse tack harness equipment......

http://www.blackmarketantiques.com/....html?osCsid=3ea1899ea59bf1462c227fe7c345cf46

TiredIron

 

[trixie charger]

Re: Bone Items-Native American ?

Heat a needle tip red hot, find a inconspicous spot and touch it, if bone it will smell like hair burning, if not then the smell will be plastic. I think they are Bone though. Look at the large rings and see if they have a inner ring structure. Antler's have almost a tree like ring structure when cut.

 

[kuger]

Re: Bone Items-Native American ?

Heat a needle tip red hot, find a inconspicous spot and touch it, if bone it will smell like hair burning, if not then the smell will be plastic. I think they are Bone though. Look at the large rings and see if they have a inner ring structure. Antler's have almost a tree like ring structure when cut.

Exactly,they have a "pourous",center.Sure they arent bakelite?The hollow piece is likely bird bone....which is hollow

 

[Breezie]

Re: Bone Items-Native American ?

Thanks y'all for the replies. I tested them, and they are all bone. Trixie, there is an inner ring on the larger ones. Now that we know they are bone, how were these larger rings used? I also have a bone sewing needle 'somewhere,' and when I locate it, I'll post. Does anyone know how bone buttons are made? Were they made in a factory from ground bone powder? I'm guessing the crude ones were handmade & punched, but the ones I've posted and Mike's look machine made. Thanks again, Breezie

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Re: Bone Items-Native American ?

That's a good question!

I read a little and saw this. I know it's not the best description, but it's interesting.

Beads were carved and shaped of animal horn, turtle shell, and deer hooves, often for dangling dance tinklers or rattlers. Animal teeth and claws were bored and strung. Bear or wolf-claw necklaces were proof of a hunter's powers. Wooden beads, sometimes dyed, were carved and drilled. Hard seeds were steamed to soften them for awl piercing and stringing. Small animal bones were polished and shaped into tapered cylinders (called hairpipe bone) for neck chokers and large dance regalia breastplates. Softened, flattened dyed porcupine quills -- used here for this Tsistsistas (Northern Cheyenne) 19th-century horse mask -- were used before trade seed beads became common. Quillwork is seeing a revival today.

 

[traderoftreasures]

Re: Bone Items-Native American ?

I agree ...parts of a native breastplate.

 

[trixie charger]

Re: Bone Items-Native American ?

The small two hole buttons, from what I have found, dates from the Civil War era. The rings I have not found in Victorian era, although they are Antler and are used in Jewelry. The Barrel bead has multiple uses, hair, chokers breastplates and so on.

 

[Breezie]

Re: Bone Items-Native American ?

Thanks gang for the help! Breezie

 

[kuger]

Re: Bone Items-Native American ?

I agree ...parts of a native breastplate.

I have seen a lot of actual specimen breast plates and have never seen rings like that on any?That was mighty skilled Indian to make rings like that....I have never seen the likes from that period

 

[Tnmountains]

Re: Bone Items-Native American ?

Sure this is not victorian era buttons and rings? I hesitate to say "ancient" native american because of the condition and polish. JMO.
Interesting Breezie.

 

[Breezie]

Re: Bone Items-Native American ?

I agree ...parts of a native breastplate.

I have seen a lot of actual specimen breast plates and have never seen rings like that on any?That was mighty skilled Indian to make rings like that....I have never seen the likes from that period

Kuger, I really don't know how these rings were made, but I do know they are bone. I've about GOOGLED out. The rings look too good to be handmade, and as I asked earlier, how were bone buttons made like those Mike & I have pictured?

TM, I agree with Trixie and think the buttons are Civil War era. I've seen proof via websites about the bone buttons, but nothing about the rings.

Thanks, Breezie

 

[Breezie]

Re: Bone Items-Native American ?

I just found the bone sewing needle, so I'll throw this into the mix. Breezie

 

[RGINN]

The buttons are European in origin and manufacture. The long bone would be used in a necklace or maybe earrings, or whatever, but not a breastplate. Breastplates were the Indian version of bullet proof vests, and were made from hair pipe bones, about 4 to 5 inches in length. The rings, I have no clue, as I have never seen them before. I will say they are European and purely used for decoration, possibly in jewelry, as they're not very stout I would imagine. I have never seen a needle like that, but pretty cool. It's European too. However, you're in the Eastern US and the eastern tribes adopted white conventions pretty early. The thing that's missing is what archaeological context they were found in, which might help in the ID. I'm descended from the 'civilized' tribes but have more field experience with the Plains tribe. Cool things to find, regardless!

 

[trikikiwi]

Re: Bone Items-Native American ?

I just found the bone sewing needle, so I'll throw this into the mix. Breezie

Wow, what a Darn Good find
Cheers, Mike