This Rabbit Stick was made by the Hopi Indians to hunt rabbits and small game. It was made out of a Desert Oak natural elbow I acquired it from a woman who had connections with the Hopi Reservation in the 1950s. One end is narrowed down to form a handle. It has a thick cross section and the surfaces have a coarse texture. It is likely that the shape was formed using metal tools. The natural elbow is is nearly identical to elbows found on rabbit sticks from a much earlier time period. The central section of the elbow has a dark red color and the edges are blonde, much like the Mulga throwsticks made the Australian Aborigines. Most of the rabbit sticks used for hunting do not have the art found on this one. The decorations match those found on ceremonial pieces, so this artifact may have been used for ceremonial dancing rather than for hunting. The art was applied using paint from the mid 20th Century. It also appears to have a protective coat of varnish. Very nice and without damage. Very rare.