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J. Wilson Pawnee Pipe Tomahawk c. 1850-60 RARE

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
J. Wilson Pawnee Pipe Tomahawk c. 1850-60 RARE
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This is an absolute masterpiece early authentic Pawnee Plains Native American Indian pipe tomahawk for the advanced collector. This exact tomahawk was found to be an authentic example by the American Indian Experts at Skinner Inc Auctions and was listed in their May 6, 2016 sale as a J. Wilson Third Quarter 19th Century piece with an $8,000 estimate (it is shown on their website under auction 2893B Lot 156). The pipe tomahawk was made by documented 19th Century blacksmith John Wilson of Chadron, Nebraska. This piece dates to circa 1850-1860’s and is the single cleanest and most pristine Wilson example in any private or museum collection offered for sale. Very few J. Wilson tomahawk heads have been known to exist and are very recognizable for their bold design. Wilson’s heads were all hand forged and have specific shape and incredible artful style. He sold to local Plains Native American Indians including the Sioux, Pawnee and Crow Indians. This piece was attributed to a Pawnee Indian named “Laughing Dog” when it was purchased by known collector Mark Francis at a Sante Fe artifacts sale in the 1990’s. The haft is a solid ash wood rectangular hot file-branded design running the entire length of the piece. The fantastic hand-forged head is secured into place with a poured pewter gasket and end cap. The original clean out plug is scarcely still intact. The piece is adorned with a dangle drop of old early authentic trade silk ribbons, yarn and a tarnished brass thimble tied onto the haft. The whole piece has a nice smooth patina and has a terrific art appeal and form. The piece is shown in excellent museum quality condition and is the single best-known Wilson example in existence. The piece has been documented as being authentic by Skinner Inc. and pictured in the 2009 publication book, "The Mark Francis Collection of American Indian Art" on page 96 figure 157. Heritage Auction has sold to J. Wilson Tomahawks both in their September 29th 2006 sale, one sold for $9,560 and the other for $8,962.50. Heritage Auction had the below statement about J. Wilson Tomahawks such as this: The majority of pipe tomahawks were made by frontier blacksmiths who labored in obscurity. By and large, little is known about them and their craft. Wilson embellished the classic features of the Plains tomahawk with stamping, engraving, and inlay. His tomahawk blades are quite distinctive and readily identifiable. Examples are present in a number of important collections. Harold Peterson illustrates two Wilson tomahawks in his classic study (See: Peterson, Harold, American Indian Tomahawks, Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation, 1971, item 188, p. 118 and item 198, p. 120). Both tomahawks are in the collections of the National Museum of the American Indian. Another example is rocker engraved with the words "Made by J. Wilson" along the edge of the blade. (The Heritage Auction 2006 Example) tomahawk was collected from an Omaha Indian around 1860. (See: Baldwin, John, Tomahawks and Pipe Axes of the American Frontier, Early American Artistry Trading Company, West Olive, Michigan, 1995, p. 103.) The two sold from the Heritage sale were from the Chandler-Pohrt Collection. The pipe tomahawk measures 8.75" x 24.25". The tomahawk blade is hand engraved on the right side of the blade in script that appears to be original to the piece, but is not legible.