NATIVE AMERICAN PIPES

All of the traditional ceremonial pipes are hand made by the artist using traditional designs and materials. Various designs of Indian pipes originated in many Native American cultures beginning more than 4,000 years ago. The designs of the traditional pipes made by the artist were also used by the Woodland and Mississippian Period cultures and, later, by the Plains Indian tribes.

The older style pipes, from the Woodland and Mississippian Periods, are carved from traditional stones such as siltstone, sandstone, limestone, steatite and Ohio pipestone. Many of these traditional Indian pipes are carved in the shapes of animal and human effigies and do not use a separate stem. Some are large pipes called "great pipes" which originally were often placed on an alter and used with a stem, rather than being hand held. Many of these traditional pipes have been found in the Southeastern mound complexes.

The more recent Plains Indian pipes, also known as the calumet and peace pipe, are carved from traditional stones such as red Minnesota pipestone and black steatite. The stone used to carve the red pipestone pipes originates from the ancient quarries at Pipestone National Monument, near Pipestone, Minnesota. The black pipes are carved from black steatite which is a traditional stone used for black pipes found in many locations on this continent. Many of the Plains Indian pipes crafted by the artist are inlaid in the traditional style with lead/tin alloy and contrasting color stone. Inlaid pipe bowls became fairly common in the 1800's. The Plains Indian pipes have traditional wooden pipe stems wrapped with plaited porcupine quillwork and decorated with horsetail, animal fur, leather and quilled feathers. Many of the Plains Indian pipes are mounted in shadow boxes or on hardwood bases with acrylic dustcovers.

NATIVE AMERICAN SCULPTURE

The traditional stone sculptures created by the artist is influenced by designs from the Southeastern Mississippian Period and ancient "rock art", or petroglyphs. Many of the stone animal effigies carved by the artist are in the minimalist or impressionist tradition common in much traditional American Indian art. Some effigies are inlaid with silver alloy and contrasting stone petroglyph and pictograph figures using the same traditional inlay techniques as used on traditional pipes producing a mixed media sculpture. These inlaid figure designs are taken from "rock art" (petroglyph) sites which were produced by Native artists thousands of years ago. Stone used in the sculptures include alabaster, limestone, steatite, sandstone, soapstone, Minnesota pipestone (or catlinite) and Ohio pipestone.

The other major influence on the artist's sculpture is the traditional art produced by the mound building cultures in the Southeast during the Mississippian Period, ca. 900 A.D to 1500 A.D. Ancient design elements from pottery and ceremonial objects are combined to produce unique pieces of traditional stone sculptures representative of this culture.

                                    ARTIST'S STATEMENT REGARDING PERSONAL PIPES

I am often approached by individuals in need of a personal pipe for ceremonial use. I feel honored by their trust in making such an important item as this. My committment to anyone in need of a prayer pipe is to work with them on a personal basis on the design of the pipe and choice of materials to satisfy their spiritual needs. Anyone in need of a personal pipe is requested to contact me by email or phone.

Visit the INFORMATION page for a bio of the artist, historical information concerning traditional Indian ceremonial pipes, traditional sculpture and a list of awards and honors from such prestigious Indian art shows as the Heard Museum Indian Fair And Market and the Santa Fe Indian Market.

Click here to leave Four Winds Indian Art and visit

© 2006 All rights reserved no part of this web document may be reproduced in any form without express written permission.