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Another black drink shell cup
swamp monkey:
I finished another shell cup replica. The shell cup measures 10 3/4" long, 6 1/4" wide, and 4" deep. The shell was up to 1/4" thick. This shell cup was made from a lightning whelk. My first one was made from another species that whorled to the right. According to archeologists, lightning whelks are what the natives used because they whorled to the left. If you want to see the process visit http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,42399.msg568015.html#msg568015
These cups were used by prehistoric mound builders and historic southeastern tribes in their black drink ceremonies. They used a Deep South native shrub deciduous holly Ilex vomitoria to brew the highly caffeinated drink. As you might suspect by the plant's scientific name, part of the ceremony involved vomiting.
Thanks for looking.
swamp monkey:
BTW the design is a faithful copy of a shell cup found at Spiro OK.
Pat B:
Nice shell cup, BM. Whelk shells spiral to the left, I think.
Badly Bent:
Very Nice work, a piece of art.
swamp monkey:
--- Quote from: Pat B on June 12, 2014, 07:31:29 pm ---Nice shell cup, BM. Whelk shells spiral to the left, I think.
--- End quote ---
Pat, you are correct. Changes made above. Thanks.
SM
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