UCO: Unknown Ceramic Object

[Paleo_joe]

I found this washed up back in the woods on a lakeshore. It is approximately 3 1/2" in diameter and also in total height (including the 'nipple').

It is fired ceramic, hollow, and hand painted (you can see brush strokes). The only hole in it is the ~1/8" one right beside the nipple. On the nipple itself are two marks from usage or wear.

I have several indian pots from around here (Arkansas) and I don't think this is one, although my wife does. It shows a lot of age and perhaps what could be root marks but I don't see any shell tempering. It is very high quality and 'rings' slightly when tapped.

This lake was a river back in the 50s and there were houses around it. I was cutting through the woods, hit an old road and was following it, and then as I was cutting to the lake I walked through a wash up of old trash and debris mixed in the leaves.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[NGE]

Fill with black powder and stick a fuse in it, light and run like the wind. Maybe was used for blowing up beaver dams..........NGE

 

[Daedalus]

You may not be able to find out as this looks to be a homemade ornament of some kind .
Is there anyone around you that does this type of work that you could ask and show as they may be able to get you an answer . It looks nice though .

 

[Paleo_joe]

You may not be able to find out as this looks to be a homemade ornament of some kind .
Is there anyone around you that does this type of work that you could ask and show as they may be able to get you an answer . It looks nice though .

Thanks for both the replies!

I first thought ornament, but 1) it's pretty heavy for an ornament, almost 4 oz and 2) the hole isn't in the nipple but to the side of it, which would be strange way to mount.

 

[lostcauses]

what is with the pencil mark on the bottom??
Maybe a float for fishing..

 

[DirtDigler]

I agree with lostcause. My first thought was a fishing net float. I've seen the Japanese glass ones, they're very similar. Although the stripes are puzzling. The nipple would also have no point. Unless it's to make it float with the weight of the nipple down. Having such a small opening leads me to think they wanted to minimize water entering it. So a vase or bottle isn't likely. Very curious. Based on the Native American pottery in your area, does it look old enough to be from a local tribe? Is the clay and decoration in keeping with Ark. pottery? It almost looks Western Indian to me.

 

[Kansas]

Just a wild guess, but to me it looks like the top of a maraca or Indian rattle.

 

[Red James Cash]

I was thinking that it might be a kids toy top and the hole is to make it whistle when its spinning.

 

[Breezie]

How about a WWII Japanese ceramic grenade; type 4 grenade? Interesting find, Breezie

 

[bradyboy]

musical instrument?
put beads in the hole, and shake
Brady

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Petty thin construction for a grenade - and they most always have a way to fill them.

My guess would be net float. Wood or beeswax plug in that little hole. Painted to identify owner.

That would be a trick to make. The nipple is likely part of the process of drawing the walls around to close the opening. Maybe it was formed around a snowball and the hole let the water out before firing.