The lot features a pipe tomahawk with spontoon blade attributed to the Potawatomi, dating to circa 1840s from the ex-collection of the Galena, Illinois Museum. Included is a scan of an original collection ledger which notes the pieces as Circa 1840s Minnewauken style pipe tomahawk which was bought from Bert Brown, who acquired it from the Galena, Illinois Museum in October of 1962; also noting it was in the Galena collection since January of 1940, attributed to the Potawatomi. The tomahawk exhibits a spontoon blade, with diamond or kite shaped blade having a slight median ridge down both sides, accented with a punch dot engraved border and filed ridged edge along the upper section of the blade. The upper section of the spontoon is absent of either basal processes or a spur, an unusual attribute. The piece shows a tear drop eye / eyelet hole with forge fold into the blade, the forge fold can be seen running down the first portion of the blade itself. This is a blacksmith hand forged example. The pipe shows a large short and wide vase like pipe tobacco bowl with forged prominent ridge at the bottom and top along with slightly beveled raised belly section. The head is secured to the haft with poured pewter and the haft protrudes past the eye, an early weapons feature. The haft or handle exhibits a dark solid hardwood with two inlaid pewter silver bands and carved tapering pipe mouth piece end. The head has a nice honest patina with some slight pitting near the blade end and is truly a fantastic circa 1840s example. The haft appears older but with some touch-ups. Truly a unique and beautiful tomahawk with wonderful museum attribution. Provenance: From a large private Wisconsin Native American beadwork and weapons collection; ex-collection of Bert Brown and a Galena, Illinois museum, acquired in 1940. For an example of the Potawatomi's use of tomahawks,see the photograph of Chief Crane holding a tomahawk when on delegation to Washington, D.C. 1850. For another example from the Potawatomi see A Neshnabé (Potawatomi) Pipe Tomahawk from Bonhams. The tomahawk has a head that is 8"L and the tomahawk itself is 22" in length overall.*

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