Charmstone, granite, [grano - diorite (?)], longitudinally grooved. From center pocket of pouch 1-157478. Length is 8.3 cm. Pouch and contents were used in curing and poisoning by singing doctor.
Donor:
David Wayne Peri
Collection place:
Bodega Bay, Sonoma County, California
Verbatim coll. place:
California; Northern California; Bodega Bay
Culture or time period:
Coast Miwok
Maker or artist:
Oscar Bassen
Collector:
David Wayne Peri
Collection date:
ca. 1950
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Charmstones
Function:
5.2 Magic: Objects Associated with Practices reflecting confidence in the ability to manipulate supernatural agencies
Accession date:
1965
Context of use:
1-157472 - 157500 and 1-157713-16 comprise outfit of Thomas Smith. Outfit was family heirloom. From center pocket of pouch; 1-157479 - 84 are contents of pouch 1-157478. To cure "water sickness" i.e. any illness traceable to water e.g. water demons;
Department:
Native California (archaeology and ethnology)
Dimensions:
length 8.3 centimeters
Comment:
(continued from Contex of Use) ..over patient. Strings of beads are attached to stick by patient and his family as offerings. When weight of beads makes stone touch patient, offerings cease. Three variables: thickness (thus strength) of willow rod; length of rope; length of rod. These all are seen before treatment by patient and his family and, acting as unspoken clues, indicate approximate cost of cure and thus severity of illness. This gives patient and family chance to back out.