Description:

**First Time At Auction**

Native American, United States, Northeast coast, Maine, Wabanaki Confederacy, Penobscot tribe, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A rare and impressive root club, hand-carved with a stylized head resembling an eagle with its wing raised and a seal on its shoulder. Below the head is the relief image of an anthropomorphic canine and a turtle, while the shaft is additionally embellished by incised vegetal motifs, as well as the image of a smoking pipe. Traditional Wabanaki (Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Mi'kmaq, and Maliseet) root clubs are made of the stock and root bundle of grey birch trees. Though pre-18th century root clubs may have been used as weapons, 18th-19th century clubs, embellished with fantastic, other-worldly faces, were used in spiritual ceremonies and are often called spirit clubs. By the late 19th century, the abundance of human faces on root clubs reflected an increased sales to non-Native tourists, moving away from the spiritual. Size: 4.8" W x 30.2" H (12.2 cm x 76.7 cm)

Please note this item may fall under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act and may not eligible for international shipping. Native American, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian objects are only eligible to ship within the United States.

Provenance: private Alamo, California, USA collection, purchased at Brookline Antique Shop, Massachusetts, USA in 1961

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

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#180649

  • Condition: Some minor chips, nicks, and abrasions as shown, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and very nice with good remaining pigments and incised detail. Light patina throughout.

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September 8, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000