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Great Lakes Fish Ball Head War Club c. 1800-

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Great Lakes Fish Ball Head War Club c. 1800-
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The lot features an exceedingly rare Great Lakes Native American Indian Ball Head war club dating to circa early to late-1800’s. The stunning piece has an immensely rare fish or water serpent effigy carving on a scarcely seen root burl ball head war club. The club also shows a forged iron single spike that has been ground flat and shows a heavy rich patina, indicative of its early age. The fish effigy shape is scarcely seen and is an important piece of Great Lakes or Woodland Indian artifacts as shown in the attached page from Baldwin’s book “Indian War Clubs of the American Frontier” on page 66 showing an example at the top of the page and the side of the page. The example on the side of the page shows the exact same style of the figure having the ball head in its mouth, a unique addition. North American Auction Co. sold a Great Lakes Fish War Club at our 7/11/2015 sale for over $5,000 (with premiums). The war club shows a solid one-piece wood carving with a heavy Red Snake Burl root ball head spherical carved head. The entire war club shows a rich and rare authentic original red painted finish with the head and various areas showing the wood worn through and correct patina of its early age. The handle shows the sea water serpent or fish meeting the ball head with its mouth wrapping around the round head and pointed teeth beginning to sink in adorned by the round eye and raised lip area. The central portion of the haft or handle has a wonderful faceted like edge with triangular tepee like cutouts on the bottom and top running parallel to the piece on both sides which culminated at the gripping area which shows a raised band having the same triangular tepee like incused cutouts. The gripping area shows an end or pommel that is flared or stepped having four spoon carved like sections. The gripping area shows much wear and loss of paint indicative of use. The piece truly has a fine appearance and displays well. Provenance: The piece was purchased many decades ago by noted Texas Native American Indian weapons collector Williamson and has been consigned by his son after his passing. The war club measures 3.5" wide and 20" long.