The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of December 18, 2025
Birdstone
1500–1000 BCE
Overall: 5.1 x 3.2 cm (2 x 1 1/4 in.)
Private Collection 2.2018
Location: Not on view
Description
Archaic-period birdstones, distributed widely in the Great Lakes region, are thought to be weights that were lashed to spear-throwers to improve control of the weapons. Given their artistry and craftsmanship, they may also have been emblems of prestige, talismans that heightened a hunter’s luck, or clan symbols. This example is said to have been found in modern-day Michigan.- {{cite web|title=Birdstone|url=false|author=|year=1500–1000 BCE|access-date=18 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2.2018