A variety of specimens of steatite from the Red Pipestone Quarry, 1836

Physical Details: Artifact : 1 item ; 40 x 64 cm.

Creator: George Catlin (1796-1872)

Description: Identification on attachment (typewritten): A chart prepared by Catlin from specimens found in the Red Pipestone Quarry in Minnestota, the only known source for the porous red clay from which numerous tribes of Indians fashioned their pipe bowls. Since the deposits of catlinite were an unexplainable phenomenon to the Indians, the quarry was regarded as a great medicine place, or place of mysterious power, which no white man before Catlin had visited. The specimens, attached by sealing wax, were removed at a later date.

The Red Pipe Stone Quarry is on the Coteau des Prairies near the sources of the St. Peters River.

Forms part of: George Catlin papers, 1821-1904, 1946

Rights Statement: Current copyright status is undetermined

Citation: A variety of specimens of steatite from the Red Pipestone Quarry, 1836. George Catlin papers, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

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Digital ID: 5445

Subjects:

• Artists' tools
• Color

View all Image Gallery items from the George Catlin papers