This Artifacts is a Severed head By Dan Townsend. Severed head engraved on Gold Lip Mother of Pearl with trade beads. Strung on black leather.  2" Made by Native American Seminole Indian Dan Townsend and dates from 1995
 
Widely Recognized Artist Dan Townsend has replicated the ancient designs of the Mississippian Period 1000-1600AD and is an internationally known Native American artist with his works revered as preserving the art of traditional shell carvings found in the Southeastern Mound Building Cultures. 
He is Muscogee Creek Cherokee, with a sincere and dedicated love for the art of carving on various shells.
https://www.dominickerindians.org/dantownsendsshellcarving.htm