Native Americans have used
pipes in a ceremonial context for at least 2000 years. Tobacco
and the inner bark and leaves of certain trees and shrubs were
smoked in pipes on sacred occasions as an offering to the Great
Spirit. The ritual use of the pipe continues today by those Native
Americans practicing their traditional religions.
Crested pipes were a common
design among many eastern and plains tribes. They are characterized
by having a thin raised area, often carved with spiritual designs,
between the upright tobacco chamber and the stem. This pipe has
a crest in the shape of an arc with four rounded projections
symbolizing the four sacred directions. There are several other
four direction symbols in the inlay patterns on the bowl and
mouthpiece and in the quillwork on the stem. The spirits residing
in the four directions were honored in pipe ceremonies because
of their power over the weather.
This pipe bowl and mouthpiece
was carved from Minnesota pipestone from the ancient quarries
near pipestone, Minnesota. The inlays are lead which was a traditional
inlay material. The stem was carved from ash with an inlaid Minnesota
pipestone mouthpiece and is decorated with quillwork, quilled
simulated eagle feathers, horsetail, ermine and painted leather.
These are traditional decorations for a highly decorated ceremonial
pipe. The pipe is mounted on a wood base with an acrylic dustcover
(not shown).
The ribbons travel with the
pipe. Approximate size of the display case with acrylic dustcover
are 24 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 13". Approximate size of
the pipe is 21" x 3 1/4" x 1 1/2".
Argus Dowdy is a self-taught
award winning artist and member of the Choctaw Nation Of Oklahoma.
He has chosen traditional American Indian pipes and stone sculpture
as his primary artistic mediums. He currently lives in Oklahoma
where he works full time as an artist. Examples of his work have
been shown in galleries throughout the Southwest. The artist
also exhibits in several major Indian art shows including the
Heard Museum Indian Fair and Market and the Santa Fe Indian Market.
The artist not only supplies
Native American pipes for traditional American Indian ceremonies
but also creates museum quality traditional pipes for the serious
collector of Native American art.
His collector grade pipes
often feature Minnesota pipestone or black steatite bowls inlaid
with lead and contrasting color stone, porcupine quill wrapped
stems, quilled feathers and hardwood display cases with acrylic
dust covers. Each pipe is created as a unique piece of art using
traditional Native American designs and materials which have
been carefully researched. No pieces are ever copied.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
"I believe the traditional
pipe is the most important pre-Columbian American Indian cultural
item in both a spiritual and artistic sense. American Indian
pipes have been used by many tribes in a sacred ceremonial context
for over 4,000 years. The pipe is also an excellent example of
a three-dimensional mixed media art object, combining stone and
wood sculpture with quillwork, featherwork, leatherwork and jewelry
inlay techniques. It is important to me as an American Indian
artist to create pipes using traditional ancestral designs and
materials and to treat the pipes with the respect deserved by
our most sacred cultural items.
"It is my hope that through
my art the viewer can recognize the rich spiritual heritage of
the Native American people."
