Relics of the American West: 1850-1920
Lot 2056:
Description
This impressive frontier-era piece features a hand-forged steel head boasting a distinctive pierced heart motif and scrolled langets, a style often associated with 19th-century trade goods from the Great Lakes or Plains regions. The item serves a dual purpose as both a ceremonial pipe and a weapon, featuring a smoking bowl integrated into the poll and a hollowed wooden haft that acts as the smoke chamber, terminating in a visible mouthpiece at the base. While many tomahawks were intended for combat, many pipe tomahawks produced for trade or presentation were never sharpened, serving instead as status symbols or diplomatic gifts. The wooden haft is further accented with traditional hand-carved notches along the leading edge. Displaying a heavy, authentic patina throughout, the steel head shows scattered oxidation and surface pitting, while the wooden haft exhibits expected handling wear, darkening of the wood, and minor abrasions consistent with significant age. H 2.75″, W 10.25″, D 25″. Please see photos for condition.
Share this lot:
