Relics of the American West: 1850-1920
Lot 2212:
Description
This carved wooden ball head club is a striking mid-20th-century folk art interpretation of traditional 18th-century Woodlands indigenous weaponry. The piece features a hand-painted face in a deep reddish-orange hue, accented by vibrant green glass bead eyes and a red faux-hair or feather tuft at the crown. The shaft is finished in a heavy black paint and decorated with a series of metal tacks along the spine, terminating in a braided horsehair tassel. A hand-knapped stone spike is inset into the ball, adding to its formidable and primitive aesthetic. While the form honors historic designs, the specific materials and paint application indicate it was created as a high-quality ceremonial or decorative piece rather than a period artifact. Condition is good as pictured, showing honest wear consistent with age, including minor paint loss and chipping on the facial features and ball head, light oxidation to the metal tacks, and some fraying to the horsehair elements. H 9″, W 24″, D 3.25″. Please see photos for condition.
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