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Kiowa Spontoon Pipe Tomahawk c. 1860-1870'd

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:7,500.00 - 14,000.00 USD
Kiowa Spontoon Pipe Tomahawk c. 1860-1870'd
This is an extraordinary authentic circa 1860-1970’s spontoon pipe tomahawk attributed to the Kiowa Native American Indians of the lower Southern Plains. This identical example of spontoon head has been documented as being an authentic example by authors Green, Baldwin, Francis, Hartzler & Knowles and Peterson all four pieces being attributed to the Kiowa Indians, all on long hafts such as this example and all possibly being from the same maker. This example features a hand-forged spontoon head with high polished with rich patina natural finish accented by the two pierced lobes, a tapered & pointed blade. The tomahawk shows a diamond-shaped eyelet hole, which helps date the piece properly to the 1860-1870’s Indian Wars era. The piece is married to a solid wood haft handle which is elaborately adorned with hundreds of brass trade tacks in a linear and geometric design along with two old strips of Indian tanned hide fringe gaskets at the gripping area, which has some discoloration from age and use. The smoking tip is an old bullet cartridge. The tomahawk is also adorned with a typical shaped beaded drop attached that is comprised of old stroud clothe, Buffalo hide fringe and trade clothe with glass trade seed beadwork in a whimsical floral design. The beadwork shows a sky light padre blue background with chalk white border also showing green, greasy yellow, cobalt and rose. Truly a wonderful authentic example in fine preserved condition. Overall the piece measures 28 inches in length with a head that is 11 ½ inches in length and a beaded drop that hangs 27 inches long.