North American Auction Company
Live Auction

Early October American Indian & Western Sale

Sat, Oct 3, 2020 11:00AM EDT
Lot 32

Eastern Plains Celtiform Ball Head Tomahawk 18th C

Estimate: $6,000 - $12,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
This is an exceptional early Celtiform ball head war club tomahawk dating to the 18th century from the Eastern Plains Native American Indians. The piece shows a root ball head war club with forge iron blade which is firmly secured in the head as if it had grown there. The use of iron for the blade indicates that the piece is a post-contact specimen and the workmanship suggests that the entire war club, including the blade, is of Indian manufacture. This places the piece at being from the 18th Century. Similar examples of Celtiform war clubs can be seen in Harold L. Peterson’s “American Indian Tomahawks” on page 101, pictured / figure 102, 103 and 104. These examples are attributed to the Indians of Oklahoma with this example very well originating from there as well. The blade has a tapering widening blade, similar to that of a Missouri War Axe which then tapers at theback to a spike, making this Celtiform war club one of the earliest examples of a crude Pike Tomahawk or Spike Tomahawk. Various blacksmith folds, hammer marks and other techniques of blacksmith manufacture or working can be seen on the iron. The haft handle has a rich dark patina from honest authentic age and use along with natural splits along the back of the piece, with this being a very solid and heavy example. The entire wood surface has a shiny patina from much age and use and the metal has a deep chocolate brown patina from the same. Under the head a faint black single band can be seen. This is truly a fantastic early example with amazing Celtiform design as it would have been a formidable weapon in its time. Measures overall 24.25”L with a 10 5/8”L head with a 3”L blade. The ball head is approximately 2 5/8” across.
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