Featured in this lot is this Hopewell urn platform pipe from Adams Co. Illinois and aged from 1200 BC - 400 AD. This wonderful piece of Native American history shows a smooth urn made pipe example with cylindrical bowl and smooth flat platform handles. These pipes were introduced by the Hopewell culture about 1200 B.C. Their use began to wane during the Middle Woodland period, about 500 AD. D.R. Gehlbach noted that these pipes were used in mortuary ceremonies and were interred with individuals of high status. Hopewell culture is a notable ancient Indian culture of the east-central area of North America. It flourished from about 200 BCE to 500 CE chiefly in what is now southern Ohio, with related groups in Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and New York. This is a wonderfully kept treasure of North America and is shown in an ornate, gold painted softwood display case and is labeled with the identity. Platform pipes of this quality are being sold at auction for up to $3,000. The measurements of the display case are 7 3/8" x 9 1/2" x 2".