The Florence tribune., 1897-10-09
INDIAN ARTISTS.
Skill of American Redmen in Met
 al Working.
Ornaments of Silver Fashioned fin Delicate Tracery by Crude Im- DIements-MethOd os
 Working.

Ihe majority of persons Wno FieN' articles of the American Indian worked in metal, as exhibited in the museums of the country, express surprise at the proficiency disclosed,' said one of the eurators at the National museum re gently. Many of the amulets, armlets buttons and other decorations to be found in the possession of the Indian are of surpassing finish and 9sorkmaB' ship. In silver especially are they skilled and the delicate tracing and out line of the silver decoratioos are often q source of wonder, even to Those most familiar with the Ted naen of the plains.
 Among the tribes most remote from civilization-those who have not been brought to agricultural pursuits, but roam over the country as in the days of old-there is to be found scarcely an Indian who does not possess numerous articles of silver, which are worn in lavish profusion. The smallest child in the tribe is robbed in skins fastened with silver buttons and otherwise ornament ed; indeed, it is characteristic of the Indian parent to lavish the extent of his wealth on the boy who will be his heir if he survives life of strife. The beau tiful buckskin, which, in finish, is like that of undressed kid, is often heavy with the weight Of silver, and even the tiny moccasins of the same skin are adorned with buttons and fasteners of precious metal"
 The ornaments of this class of Indian are not of crude workmanship, but are of excellent finish and design. The gen eral conception of the Indian is that of an individual totally, or largely, devoid of invention. There can scarcely be a more erroneous impression. In place of lacking capacities for invention, the In- . dian,- on the contrary, is q person of great inventive genius and his crude surroundings and the infrequent need of exercising his talents prevent his ge- nius from being developed. In other generations and under other conditions the inventive genius of the Indian was developed to an extent far beyond the modern conception. The mound build CTS and the cliff dwellers have left mon ameuts which display genius equal to if not surpassing the originality of the modern Inventor.
 An attempt is being made by the Ma tional museum. to eliminate this ignor- ance of the Indian, as far as it lies in the scientists power. Consequently, with this work of education in view, the scientists are preparing groups of figures dealing directly with the life and customs of the Indians, and as far as possible forming fac-similes of the home life of the unciviiized man, his code of religious belief and worships, and the aids which he employees in performing the little work which his necessities re- quire. Among the group of figures which have recently been placed on ex- hibition in the west hall of the museum is one representing the methods em- ployed in working silver into decora- tions and useful articles.
 Among other erroneous impressions concerning the Indian is one that no forge is used in melting metals, but that the slow and rather unsatisfactory method used is simply placing the melt ing pot in bed of glowing coals. The exhibit entirely dispels this impression. The first thing to attract attention is a forge, in a crude state, it is true, but en- tirely adequate to meet all the demands of the native silversmith. The bed of the forge is of clay, on framework of wood, and is raised little over two feet from the ground. There are two pairs of bellows, circular in form and fashioned from buffalo hide. A handle is attached to each pair, and they are worked alternately, in much the same manner as hand tricycIes are propelled. A steady flow of wind is thus insured.
 The Indian seldom melts the quartz In preference the Mexican dollar is melted and run into molds shaped tc his use. At times the coin is hammered to a thin sheet and then pounded into 1 molds or impressions which have been Followed out in the stone. In this way are the buttons made, the rough edges htAAB oAAo1AACl OAl bg SOullHucu 4I1c' ton on the hard sandstones.
 The use of the blowpipe is also ia miliar art, and the eyes of the buttons are attached to the oval button by this
 means. The lamp is probably the crud est part of the whole exhibit. Itis sim ply rag covered with mass of buffalo tallow and placed in an open dish ot metal, or on stone which has been hol lowed out for some such purpose. Thret of the figures are represented as work ing, while the fourth, that of a child, i. closely watching the labors ofhis elder and anticipating the appearance of th, new ornaments on his already gorgeous dress. The figures themselves are robet in painstakng way, after the man ner of the bona ffde Indian, and are GOV cred with the best examples of the pro ficiency of the race in metal work
 Washington Post.
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