Lot 86

Southern Plains Ball Head Spike War Club 19th C.

Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000

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
The lot features an unusual Southern Plains Native American Indian ball head war club with a spike attributed to the late 1800’s. The piece was collected in Kansas and features a nice slight “S” curve carved wood club with polychrome mineral pigment painted and trade tack adorned features. The club is very unique and unusual in that it is a predominantly flat example, the ball head is not your typical root burl spherical shape, but rather has the spherical design with flat dimension, overall, the flat edge is slight curved with a smooth bevel down the ridge. The haft and head is beautifully accented by solid brass trade tacks in a zig-zag snake like pattern, sunburst and diagonal dual band design, likely all representing the social and war bands the original owner belonged to. At the head there is an inset blacksmith forged iron spike held into place with melted poured bullet lead, the spike is slightly tapered with a blunt end, likely from use. The club exhibits a nice, shiny patina with expected dings, nicks and scratches from honest true age and Native use. The gripping area is more worn also as expected and some of the paint, which is shown across the entire piece, shows loss as well. The head is painted on each side in mineral pigment ocher blue and green paint and the entire club has a red to green paint color. Other flat wood war clubs such as this have been known to have been used by the tribes of the Southern Plains such as the Osage, Comanche and Southern Cheyenne. The coloration and art style also indicates the club as being likely Southern Plains in origin as well. Overall a very nice uncommonly seen example in well preserved condition measuring 22 5/8”L with a head that is 5” x 3 3/8” (including the 1.75”L spike).
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