This is an authentic rare original steatite bowl from Bird Woman (Sacagawea) a Lemhi Shoshone dating to circa 1800. The steatite bowl has been examined and authenticated by renowned historian and Togia language expert, Wendell Grangaard of The Guns of History, Inc. Sacagawea was a Lemhi Shoshone woman who at age 12 was kidnapped by the Hidatsa tribe. When she was 13, she was won by the Frenchman Toussaint Charbonneau while gambling with the Hidatsa. At age 16, Charbonneau and Sacagawea joined and helped the Lewis and Clark Expedition in achieving their chartered mission objectives by exploring the Louisiana Territory. Sacagawea traveled with the expedition thousands of miles from North Dakota to the Pacific Ocean, helping to establish cultural contacts with Native American populations in addition to her contributions to natural history. The bowl is constructed of steatite and is considered a bowl which would have been used as a frying pan. According to the message which is carved into the bowl in Togia (Lakota) language the bowl was a gift given to Bird Woman from her Brother Chief Cameahwait dating this piece to circa 1800. The bowl was a gift from her brother Chief Cameahwait when Sacagawea was reunited with relatives on the expedition with Lewis and Clark. The reunion was recorded by Lewis in his journal on August 17, 1805. The inside of the bowl is marked, “fish eaters – Good Road – long journey – good special person – brother chief – give gift bowl – standing lodge of relative.” The backside of the bowl is marked “Birdwoman.” The piece comes with the signed letter describing the piece’s history from Wendell Grangaard along with a detailed illustration showing the markings he has translated. Wendell Grangaard is the foremost knowledge on the Togia language along with the Battle of the Little Bighorn as he is the author of the book, “Documenting the Weapons Used at Little Bighorn” 2015. Wendell was also intricate in the authentication and examination of the historic George Armstrong Custer Captured Sharps Carbine from Chief Black Kettle that sold at auction for $127,000. Comes with documentation including a detailed description authenticating the piece signed by Wendell, along with an illustration showing the togia language carvings drawn along with a few images of the piece. This is truly a fantastic authentic original tomahawk with immense authentic history and provenance. Measures approximately 10” in circumference by 1” thick. The piece shows a nice even patina and well-preserved condition.