The lot features a phenomenal, circa 1870 Plains Gunstock War Club that was originally collected from respected dealer and expert, Mike Kokin, at Sherwoods Spirit of America Gallery in Santa Fe during the early 2000’s by noted collector, Cyrus Eaton of London, England. The club has the original Sherwoods collection tag still attached, showing a purchase price of $7,500.00. Eaton purchased it at the Whitehawk Artifact Show during the Santa Fe ethnographic Indian Artifact Shows in August of 2000 or 2001. The tag is marked, “6599 / 030CSH / Gun Stock Style War Club / Dyed green, with spike through haft. 31 ½” long. / (logo) Sherwoods Spirit of America,” on the front and “6599 030CSH Price $7,500.00”. The number “6599” on the tag represents the date Sherwoods acquired the piece, 6/5/99, and the second number of “030CSH” represents their collection inventory number. The War Club is from circa 1870 and is well preserved for its age, showing museum-quality condition and expected nicks, dings, and wear from honest age and use. The club is comprised of a hardwood gunstock haft, which is adorned with old hot file brandings, solid brass trade tacks in outstanding traditional patterns, and old green and red trade polychrome paints with traces of old green vegetable dyes, as well. At the front is a 5 ½ inch long pointed spike inset into the haft, with the unique double edge point having a slight median ridge and blacksmith punched elongated hole cutout at the center, as well as a beveled groove (the groove is shown on both sides). The inside edge of the gunstock has burnt grooves. The piece is in a very traditional gunstock war club pattern often seen in other documented examples from Central Plains region tribes, such as the Otoe, Sauk & Fox, and Pawnee. Like most pieces collected during the late 20th Century, it was likely preserved by Sherwoods and now has a nice shiny patina. Provenance: From the ex-collection of Sherwoods Spirit of America Gallery Santa Fe, New Mexico, circa 1999, and Cyrus Eaton Collection of London, England, circa 2000-. Measures overall 31 ½ inches in length.