Argus Dowdy
Choctaw

Calling the Spirits

7 3/4" L x 5 1/2" T x 4" W

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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.

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“Calling The Spirits” is a large effigy platform pipe typical of pipes made during the Mississippian Period (900-1500 C.E.) by artisans in the mound building cultures.

This pipe was hand carved from fine grain Oklahoma sandstone. It depicts a shaman figure holding a rattle and smoking a “tube” pipe summoning the spirits prior to ceremony.

The tobacco chamber is behind the shoulders and the stem hole is above the hips (not shown). This style pipe was probably not held in the hand but was placed on an altar for smoking. Approximate size is 7 ¾ inches long, 5 ½ inches tall, 4 inches wide.

This pipe was awarded second place in the Pipe Category at the 2008 Santa Fe Indian Market.

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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."

If you have questions about this
item, please contact Brandon: sales@ancientnations.com