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19th C. Crow Tomahawk w/ Beautifully Beaded Drop

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
19th C. Crow Tomahawk w/ Beautifully Beaded Drop
This is an exceptional, authentic 19th Century pipe tomahawk and beaded drop attributed tot eh Crow Native American Indians. The head is blacksmith hand-forged iron showing forged chevrons, forged moldings, and a vase-shaped pipe bowl on a small pedestal. The blade has a wide, rear-flaring “hawk bill” pattern shape, a documented early-to-mid 19th Century art feature seen on Western Pipe Tomahawks. The hardwood haft handle has old faded hot file brandings and old brass trade tacking of various sizes. The head is secured at the tear drop eyelet / eye hole with an old leather gasket and tacking. The clean out hole is visible at the top of the head with the plug being long missing. There is a beaded and fringed Great American Bison Buffalo hide drop tied onto the haft that has some old red stroud clothe and push tacks, along with beautiful stunning Crow pattern beadwork done in typical pastel colors in a geometric pattern. The beadwork is all period glass trade cen beads in colors of greasy Cheyenne pink, greasy yellow, chalk white, light sky blue, semi-transparent red, and semi-transparent lilac. The entire tomahawk has a fine deep, chocolate patina and exhibits minor expected wear from age but overall displays well. The drop shows little to no bead loss and is striking. Early example is from the Jim Bastian ex-collection Kansas City, Missouri. The head measures 9 ½ inches long by 4 1/8 inches wide across the bottom of the blade. Total length of the tomahawk is 24 inches long and the drop 23 inches long.