Description:

Native American, Central United States, Great Plains Tribes, likely Apache, ca. 19th century CE. A handsome ceremonial tomahawk made from forged iron with a wooden handle. The iron head features a flat blade with an openwork eight-pointed star in the center. A central socket secures the head to the handle, and the butt end is a cylindrical pipe receptacle with a raised ring around the lip. The wooden handle is diamond shaped with four faceted faces; the length is decorated with burnished squares. A piercing through the tip of the handle is adorned with a leather tassel with metal jingle cones and horsehairs. A hole is drilled under the metal pipe into the wood, and at the pommel tip of the handle is a protrusion which is a mouthpiece for drawing smoke into the hollow handle for inhalation. A clever combination of form and function! Made to be used as a steel tomahawk - for warfare or ritualistic pipe for smoking! Size: 20.25" L x 8.125" W (51.4 cm x 20.6 cm

Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection

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#160486

  • Condition: Blade is completely loose from handle. Nicks to blade edge. Wood has surface abrasions, stable fissures, and chips as expected with age and use. Leather tassel is intact. Nice patina throughout.

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April 1, 2021 10:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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