Rattlesnake Island
This is a rather unique motif recognized only on one sherd. It consists of a series of semicircular-shaped, pendant loops that circle the upper part of the vessel’s exterior just below the lip.
It is perhaps significant that this motif is similar, if not identical, to several designs present on sherds of Goliad Red-on-buff from Mission Espíritu Santo at Goliad. It also is interesting to note the lack of similar designs on any of the Goliad Black-on-buff sherds from the same site. In fact, the present research could not find any examples of the “San José Island" motif either discussed or illustrated in any previous study on Rockport ceramics. For these reasons, the “San José Island” motif may well represent relatively late protohistoric and/or historic Karankawa occupations similar to that at Espíritu Santo.