Western Great Lakes/Northern Plains
Medicine Bowl
Ash Burl with Leather Thong, 6 ½” Length, c. 1800-1820

The rounded bottom and leather thong indicate that this bowl was used in-hand and hung when not in use. The lacerated and carbonized interior is a record of the preparation that medicine men would employ to prepare herbal concoctions by chopping and burning plant and animal matter (with heated stones) within the bowl.
Provenance: West Yellowstone Museum, Yellowstone, MT