Native American Birdstone. Authentic or Modern?

[Thefieldhunter]

Hello, I recently bought this green banded slate birdstone from an Indian artifact collector. He had said that it had been found in Randolph County, Indiana and had been purchased by Earl Townsend. I was wondering if I could get any information on if this birdstone appears to be authentic or real. I'll be taking it to the next artifact show here in Indiana to talk to other collectors about it. . Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

 

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[Thefieldhunter]

 

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[Treasure_Hunter]

You can also try and taste the piece to see if you can taste any chemicals. People use many different chemicals to try to age fake artifacts, furniture polish rubbed in then flame used, mild acid, lime are all used to try to give a look of fake patina.

 

[southfork]

Number # 7 looking at a close up fine uniform lines ? in the drilled hole is that normal ?

 

[dognose]

I agree, taste the item. is there anything odd.

I often use the smell test. But in todays world of the virus there could be instances of some folks smelling ability impaired. (That is the ability to smell aromas, not put them out.)

In many instances, a relic will retain the earthy aroma for many years if soil conditions were just right. The lack of smell does not indicate a fraudulent relic. I have gotten relics out of storage after a number of years and they sometimes do still have that earthy aroma.

One thing that looks off is the look of the patina "spots" over the entire relic. I don't think I have relics which has that look.

 

[dognose]

here are the patina / mineralization "spots" i am referring to. They are different than what I am used to seeing on relics.

The bird being found in Randolph County Indiana I would think it would be similar to those I find in the region.

 

[dognose]

Some interesting anomalies in the drilling, these may be a light/shade issue but the marks caught my attention.

 

[joshuaream]

The additional pictures don't give me any additional confidence... Dognose is spot on with his observations, smell, taste and maybe beading water vs absorption are decent ways to get to reasonable doubt with many common chemical based patinas.

Find or buy some local broken slate objects and take a look at the difference. With the addition of a bit of oil/butter/years of handling with oily hands which brings out the banding, authentic slate should look like broken authentic slate.

One other observation, it looks like the rear hole fractured and was reglued. That often happened with birds, probably from hafting or maybe during manufacturing, but I don't recall any where the blow-out was found with the bird. I'm sure it has happened, but it would be note worthy. Lots of birds have been put together with heads and bodies found years apart or even in different counties, but it's odd that small piece broke right there and was recovered. (I'd think it more likely that it broke during drilling and the maker simply reglued it vs reworking it or starting again. Too much pressure while drilling slate, or wiggling the hand drill to make a slightly more irregular hole can make slate split.)