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Plateau Pipe Tomahawk w/ Beaded Drop c. 1870

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
Plateau Pipe Tomahawk w/ Beaded Drop c. 1870
NOTICE: Auction Date moved to December 5th due to potential Covid-19 case. Thank you for understanding and choosing NAAC. All shipping is in-house and our team will make sure your items get shipped asap after the sale.
This is an outstanding 19th Century Plateau Intermontane region pipe tomahawk with beautiful beaded drop likely from the Crow or Nez Perce Native American Indians dating to circa 1870. The piece features a very clean hand blacksmith forged iron head with gun barrel tall bowl showing visible rifling inside the bowl. The tomahawk has a rear-facing spur and tall pipe bowl with tear drop eye having molding steps, a molded chevron with double molding on the bowl. The blade has a very typical large western styling and the rifling in the barrel is considered to be “the best in the west” as they are highly collectible. The hardwood haft is adorned with old paint remnants near the head, brass trade tacks in beautiful patterns and a nice, deep shiny patina from true honest age and use. The Buffalo Bison hide drop may be a later addition, but also shows a nice early age. The drop cups over the gripping section and is secured with old hide glue and trade clothe lacing and trade tacks. The drop truly dresses up the tomahawk well and has long fringes with hand rolled tin jingle cone danglers and a red trade clothe backing. The drop shows nice geometric beadwork in all glass trade seed beads in colors of chalk white, Cheyenne pink, black, medium green, greasy blue and butterscotch yellow. The entire tomahawk has an exceptionally artful look to it and presents well as it is finely crafts and shows only minor wear from honest age and use. Truly an original Indian Wars period tomahawk with attractive appeal. Provenance: From the ex-collection of Ted and Lilly Jarvis of Ohio and Tom Hardy of Indiana. The tomahawk is 25 ¼ inches in length with a head that is 10 ¼ inches long with a 4 ½ inch long blade. The drop is 20 inches in length in addition.