This is a rare and early Eastern Woodlands Ball Head War Club with Spike from the DuPont family collection in St. Louis, Missouri. The piece dates to the early to mid-1800s and is comprised of entirely one piece of wood carved from the root burl of a tree. The piece is elaborately decorated with brass trade tacked designs on both sides of the haft handle. The center of the ball has an old iron spike inset that protrudes 2 inches. Examples of these early ball clubs with spikes inset in the ball have been documented by scholars and authors such as Peterson, Baldwin, Francis, Hartzler & Knowles with numerous examples seen in their writings. The bottom of the haft has a pierced hole that likely held a drop of feathers or beads at one time, or perhaps a wrist thong, that is no longer present. The piece has various stains near the head and gripping area from honest age and use. This is truly a fine example in very well preserved condition. Provenance: From the astounding ex-collection of the DuPont family in St. Louis, Missouri. The club measures 23 inches in length.*