Relics of the American West: 1850-1920
Lot 2059:
Description
This collection features a stone-head “skull cracker” war club, a steel-head trade-style tomahawk, and a crescentric brass gorget featuring a unique repoussé motif of a rooster or chicken. While many gorgets from the 18th and 19th centuries feature military or nationalistic heraldry, this particular piece appears to be a folk-art variation or a specific trade item, featuring a bird with a distinct comb and wattle attached to the brass plate via wire pins. The war club utilizes a natural stone head secured with hide and a red-stained wooden shaft, typical of Plains-style weaponry. The tomahawk presents a classic teardrop eye with a tapered wooden handle and shows a distinct red circular maker’s mark or label on the haft near the head; the iron displays significant oxidation and a dark, aged patina. Overall, the items show significant wear consistent with age or display use, including verdigris on the brass, pitting on the tomahawk head, and drying/cracking of the hide wraps and wooden handles. Club: H 24″, W 4.75″, D 2.5″ Tomahawk: H 22″, W 5.25″, D 1″ Gorget: H 4″, W 5.25″, D 1″ Please see photos for condition.
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