Indian Artifacts

Book excerpt: While most Indian artifacts fall into distinct and well-known classes, there are others that do not. These artifacts can be so rare (like undamaged Archaic birdstones or Mississippian maces) that many collectors do not have even one example. Other artifacts are unusual because they are extra-large or miniature, or are a variety not often seen or are made of a material not often used. Rare & Unusual Indian Artifacts explores artifact differences, in more than 1,600 color photographs, from those that are out of the ordinary in some way to those that are truly one-of-a-kind. Rare and unusual artifacts have always commanded attention due to both scarcity and high collector interest. This is because such atypical artifacts help complete or round out a collection. They also provide a glimpse of the wide range of quality artifacts turned out by America's long-ago artisans. 2007 values.