Description:

Native American, Western United States, Plains Tribes, likely Lakota (Sioux), ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. This is an incredible bison jawbone club with a steel knife blade and decorated with a tassel of beads. A leather grip wrapped around the diastema or the area before the molars and incisor teeth creates a perfect handle, and a sinew cord with dangling ornaments of glass trade beads, stones, and carved bones, and horsehair tassels decorates the weapon. The steel knife blade is firmly embedded near the mandibular angle, an item probably acquired through trade with Europeans. The bone itself is a lovely umber brown hue and the row of molars is well preserved, and the teeth are intact! Bison sustained many tribes, their carcass providing meat, hides, bones for tools and ceremony- no part was wasted. Scraper tools and warclubs were both made from jawbones of many grazing animals, which could be lethal, and sturdy implements by themselves, but the knife is a brutal addition. Size: 16.25" L x 1.5" W x 11" H (41.3 cm x 3.8 cm x 27.9 cm)

Provenance: private Brevard, North Carolina, USA collection

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#171070

  • Condition: Loosening of leather grip. Patina on teeth and bones. Intact and excellent condition. Knife is quite pointed and sharp. Jaw and teeth are intact and very good. Overall excellent condition.

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April 21, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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