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Hunkpapa Sioux Wakinyan Tanka Copper Gorget 18th-

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 2,750.00 USD
Hunkpapa Sioux Wakinyan Tanka Copper Gorget 18th-
Firearms, Western, Native American, Colt, Winchester, Smith & Wesson, Remington, Sioux, Lakota Sioux, Crow, Blackfoot, Blackfeet, Northern Plains, Ruger, Springfield, Weatherby, Heckler & Koch, Grizzly Bear, Algonquin, R.H. Ruana, Japanese Papa Nambu, Hebsacker GmbH & Co, Painted Buffalo Hide, Mauser DWM Luger American Eagle, Sako, Vanguard, etc.
This is an exceptional early authentic Hunkpapa Sioux Native American Indian copper gorget chest decoration from the late 18th to early 19th century. The piece shows rocker and hand engravings with the early Wakinyan Tanka “The Great Thunderbird (or Thunderer)”. The piece shows a solid copper construction with the hand engraved Wakinyan Thunderbird pictorial symbol along the center with a scalloped lower edge having three oval accents all with a rocker engraved edge. The piece would have been worn around the neck by a well-respected Warrior or Chief as a sign of power. In ancient Hunkpapa pictorial language the Wakinyan (wah-keen-yahn) images represents in English the Thunderer or Thunderbird, a powerful sky spirit. The Thunderer showed the form of a great bird, with the wings that make the sound of thunder and eyes that shoot lighting and was the mortal enemy of the horned serpent Unktehi. Provenance: From a large Native American & Old West antique private collection in Billings, Montana. Condition: The piece appears to have been moderately wiped, taking away most the original patina, with some remaining signs of this early patina showing. Overall solid condition. Measures 9”x6”.