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Eight-pointed blossom brooch with green, clear, pink, and blue marquis shaped stones for possibly decorating the staff / Unknown

Essay/Description

Eight-pointed blossom slide with two green marquis shaped stones (glass or plastic) set in plain silver tone bezels opposite each other, four marquis cut clear glass stones in serrated silver toned bezels with loop points on outside point, and two pink glass stones (Marquis shapes) with loop points on outside point. All eight inside points soldered to silver toned bezel containing light blue stone. One clear marquis cut stone set backwards so flat surface is on the bottom and faceted surface is on the top. Two green stones faceted on bottom but only beveled on top and are opaque. Silver toned slide soldered to back from top of green stone to tip to tip of green stone. Word stamped on slide done from other side so is indistinguishable but may be "Germany".

Curatorial Remarks

This broach was used during peyote meetings to decorate the staff. The staff is symbolic of a person or Christ. This decoration may have symbolized an offering.

Tags: broach, floral, blossom, green, white, Pink, blue
People: Osage
Places: Southern Plains, Oklahoma
Purpose: ceremonial use, peyote meetings

From interviews with Dr. Garrick Bailey, 2018-2020 University of Tulsa, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology

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Title(s): 
Eight-pointed blossom brooch with green, clear, pink, and blue marquis shaped stones for possibly decorating the staff
Creator(s): 
Unknown
Culture: 
Native American; Osage
Date: 
late 19th century - early 20th century
Materials/Techniques: 
silver, glass, plastic
Classification: 
Object Type: 
Credit Line: 
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Whitesell and Sons
Accession No: 
84.2924g
Department: 
Not On View

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