War club – Plains Indian / North America

War club – Plains Indian / North America

War club tomahawk made by Plains Indians in the 19th century. The piece is very similar to the example documented in Harold L. Peterson's 1965 book “American Indian Tomahawk” on page 88 figure/photograph 21. Likely originating from the Sioux, it features a large, traditionally shaped solid wood handle , with a butt-shaped end, a curved crescent-shaped top, tapering slightly and beveling towards the polished grip area, finished with a sharp, blunt rear triangular pommel at the end and pierced with a hole which could have contained a drop of feathers or pearls. At the corner, towards the upper third of the club, is a wrought iron tip in the typical diamond shape, with a double worn curved edge, a slight thickness towards the center and straight, square basal processes, as well as a cutout in the shape of a four-pointed morning star. The spontaneous blade is held in place by lead or cast tin and is secured. The surface of the wood on both sides features a unique incised border framing the outer edge, with the upper crescent-shaped portion being artistically carved/incised with a triangular zigzag sawtooth pattern and oblong diamond-shaped sections terminated with crescent-shaped curves. The club itself has a light brown to green color. Each side features a large circle and two medium circles made of dark colored brass exchange studs.
The piece is from a historic Native American collection in eastern Montana. This is one of the finest collections of Native American weapons and antiques in Montana.

REGION: Montana, USA
MATERIAL: Wood, iron
PERIOD: 19th century
LENGTH: 67 cm
WIDTH: 31 cm

(Basement)
Inventory number: AM010

Ref: BVYZ5O74CR