The lot features a wonderful engraved pipe tomahawk with diamond cutout from the Western Plains Native American Indians with quilled hide drop, all dating from circa 1850. The tomahawk head is forged iron in the typical Plains large type showing a diamond cutout at the center of the blade, rear facing small spur, forge molded steps, smooth curved eyelet with tear drop eye, forge molded filed chevrons with tall thing bowl with single molded band at the top and bottom with beveled body. The blade is wonderful rocker-engraved on both sides; the right side shows a Buffalo head with arrow coming out of the mouth above the diamond and walking Buffalo below walking towards right (front facing), the left side shows horse head turned to the left (front facing) again with an arrow coming from the mouth above the diamond and below full horse walking facing left (front facing). The arrow shows a typical triangular end on a shaft, possibly representative a lance or spear, a truly unique and scarce addition. The head is secured to the wood haft handle with a hide gasket which is still present. The clean out plug hole is present, but the plug is not. The haft itself is plain showing a tear drop shape with smooth back and median edge running down the entire bottom edge of the piece all tapering gradually in size towards the gripping area. The gripping area is covered in Buffalo Indian tanned hide which is sinew sewn and held into place with hide glue and a small iron nail. The front and back edge of the gripping area wrapping shows a wide hide fringe. At the base of the wrap is attached the Buffalo hide drop showing a typical triangular shape which is completely covered along the front with porcupine quillwork in natural cream with an orange border and two blue figures which appear to be human effigy figures, a scarce addition as well. The base of the drop shows a row of hand cut Buffalo hide fringe all having a double fringe wrapped in Porcupine quills in natural cream. The drop is original to the piece and is a fantastic 1850’s piece. The entire piece is attributed to the Sioux, possibly of the Teton Lakota. The piece is very similar to the Engraved Tomahawk from the Sioux brought to sale with a $25,000 value at Cowan’s 2010 sale. The piece is also very similar to several examples in the Harold L. Peterson 1965 book “American Indian Tomahawk” on page 118 figure 188; which is attributed to circa 1860 Oto Indian with engraving. Provenance: From a historic Eastern Montana American Indian Collection, where the piece was found to be an authentic original, one of the finest collections of American Indian weaponry and antiquities in Montana. The piece measure 19”L with a head that is 9 7/8”L by 3.5”W blade by 1 5/8” thick.