CHARMSTONES (TWO), TOLAY
LAKE, PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA
Lengths: 2 ½” – 2 ½”
Base Widths: ¾” - 1”
Combine Weigh: 3.9
oz
Two charming plummet
originally from the John Lewis collection.
Lewis owned a dairy/cattle
farm just outside of Petaluma, California
A nearby lake had been
active for thousands of years with Native American visiting the lake and
dropping charmstones into the water—the idea was for the stone to capture any
emotional/physical issues and take it away!
Over the years the lake
dried out with its rich bottom being used to plant potatoes.
Each season turned over
dozens of these tiny charmstones. Lewis apparently built up quite a collection
of the relics.
The current charmstones—sometimes
called “plummets” is from that period of his activity—According to oral notes
passed down over the years, near the end of his life, Lewis began to
systematically sell off his massive collection of stone mortars & pestles.
The listed charmstones are
small and quite portable. They both show the classic “tear-drop” shape
Multiple sand scratches,
scars and minor dings can be seen.
Charmstones have a long
and varied history in southern California.
They were not utilitarian
tools for hunting or cooking. Instead, they functioned as ritual objects
and talismans (an object that is believed to possess spiritual powers).
Three general categories
of charmstone functions are listed here:
1.
Shamanic Magic—vital components of Alchuklash—a
Chumash shaman priest and astrolologer. Early researchers noted Shamans
kept them hidden inside ceremonial bundles or pits to channel supernatural
power.
2.
Weather Control—Shamans utilized
charmstones during public ceremonies to influence the elements, such as
bringing rain or calming winds.
3.
Fishing and Hunting Luck, --Shamans would
advise local hunters about areas of bounty
Because
of their immense perceived power and danger to untrained individuals, these
artifacts were handled with the utmost care and respect within the community.
Multiple sand scratches,
scars and minor dings can be seen.