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Eastern Plains Ball Head War Club c. 1820-1830

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
Eastern Plains Ball Head War Club c. 1820-1830
This is a rare and early Eastern Plains ball head war club that likely dates to circa 1820-1830 and is from the Ex-Wellington and Ex-Ted and Lilly Jarvis collections. The piece shows a solid one piece hardwood construction with tree root burl ball head showing an old green and black pigment mineral paint showing some wear and fading from honest age and use. At the root ball head shows an old squared iron spike inset into the front at the center of the ball, having a heavy tarnish. At the base of the gripping area and club shows a pierced hole that likely held a wrist thong or drop of feathers or beads at one time. The haft is elaborately and artfully adorned with hundreds of brass trade tacks. This style of spiked ball head war club with a green painted haft and elaborate tack decoration has been well documented on many examples of American Indian ball head war clubs originating with tribes in the Eastern Plains region. Overall the piece measures 18 ½ inches in length with a 3 inch wide ball. Provenance: From the Ex-Collection of Wellington along with Ted and Lilly Jarvis. Pictured in the 2019 book, “Rare American Weapons Volume 2” by Mark Francis.