North American Auction Company
Live Auction

Early October American Indian & Western Sale

Sat, Oct 3, 2020 11:00AM EDT
Lot 238

Plains Spike Ball Head War Club 19th Century

Estimate: $2,500 - $4,500

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
The lot features a spike ball head war club from the Plains Native American Indians of the 19th Century. The piece shows a one-piece carved wood construction with spherical ball head at the front which is secured with an iron spike held into place with poured led. The club itself shows a typical Plains Indian pattern with prominent ball being integral to the “U” like curved section of the haft being flat at the top and tapering to a rounded surface having a gripping area which is framed at the front and rear with a pointed drop at the base. The base of the haft triangular pointed pommel which is pierced and would have held a drop of feathers, beadwork, or wrist throng. The surface of the club is engraved / carved with a pictorial scene showing a similar Indian Warrior on each side both holding a quirt or arrow and one holding a bow and the other a war club tomahawk also showing a moon and stars scene. The piece has various small carvings, dents and dings which likely could hold a deeper meaning. The club has a nice medium to dark coloring from honest age and use. The club is very similar to the example documented in Harold L. Peterson’s 1965 book “American Indian Tomahawks” on page 86 figure / photograph 6; this example having the same general shape with low spherical ball sitting in a “U” cup with flat wood haft curving at the back and tapering to the gripping area showing a drop point above and below the gripping area finished by a triangular stepped pommel, attributed as being 19th Century collected in Iowa and typically Western. 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. Measures 21 1/8”L by 6 7/8”W, the ball is 2 5/8” diameter with the spike being 2 1/8”L.
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