FINE PLAINS SIOUX AMERICAN INDIAN PIPE TOMAHAWK / 100 BRASS TACKS / 100 FILE

BURNINGS / 1870’s-80s / LARGE 5 COLOR BEADED DROP / SINEW SEWN DEERSKIN

 ANTIQUE SEED BEADS WITH TIN CONE HORSEHAIR TASSLES 32 DEER SKIN TASSELS  

WITH PROVENANCE / SEE*** BELOW

Tomahawks have a rich history among many Indigenous Native American Indian tribes of North America. When used as weapons in 18th century Wars such as the 1754-63 French and Indian War, Pontiac’s Rebellion 1763-66, or 19th century major conflicts 19th Century like the Seminole Wars 1816-58, the Black Hawk War of 1832, and the Sioux Wars (1854-90), they fall into the category of hand-to-hand combat and have the accompanying Mano-a-Mano romance and history associated with this period of American history. These wars were primarily driven by disputes over land, resources, and control of territories. The outcomes often led to significant losses for Native American tribes, including forced relocations and the establishment of reservation culminating in the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890.

HISTORY

Native American Indian tomahawks heads used in pre-colonial times were made of stone, bone, or antler, and European settlers later introduced heads of iron and steel. The metal tomahawk heads were originally based on a Royal Navy boarding designed to cut through boarding nets when boarding hostile ships and used as a trade-item with Native Americans for food and other provisions. The metal tomahawk represents a significant advancement in Native American weapon technology and reflects the evolution of their cultures. Tomahawks were general-purpose tools used by Native Americans and later the European colonials with whom they traded and often employed as a hand-to-hand weapon. The metal head tomahawk was typically made from iron or steel, forged by skilled European artisans with advanced craftsmanship. Pipe tomahawks are artifacts unique to North America, and their durable construction and sharp edges made them highly effective and versatile weapons in combat.

The tomahawk was a versatile and indispensable tool for Native American tribes, serving a multitude of purposes beyond warfare. Their ability to adapt this tool to different needs showcases the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Native American cultures. Native American tribes relied heavily on hunting for sustenance. The tomahawk proved a valuable tool in this pursuit, used for both killing prey and processing the meat. Its sharp edge was effective for skinning animals and for breaking bones. This demonstrates the critical role of the tomahawk in Native American survival and their relationship with the natural world. Beyond hunting, the tomahawk was also essential for gathering resources. Its sharp edge was used for chopping wood for fires, building shelters, and crafting tools. The versatility of the tomahawk in these tasks further underscores its importance in everyday Native American life.

Native Americans used a variety of hardwoods to make the handles of their tomahawks, including hickory, ash, and oak. These woods provided strength, durability, and resilience. Their intricate haft designs and embellishments often reflected the cultural heritage and beliefs of the tribes that used them. The decorations found on many tomahawks often contained symbolic motifs that represented the tribe’s beliefs, traditions, and history. These motifs typically include geometric patterns and abstract designs, each carrying specific meanings and stories. The choice of colors and materials used in a tomahawk also carried meaning, further reflecting the cultural identity of the tribe that crafted it. Specific colors might represent different spirits, animals, or natural elements, contributing to the overall symbolism of the weapon. For example, the use of red might signify blood and bravery, while blue might represent the sky and spiritual realms. The careful selection of colors and materials demonstrates the profound connection between Native American art, culture, and spiritual beliefs. Deciphering these motifs is difficult, and at best, an inexact science to translate and identify the vast variety of characteristics used by the numerous Native American societies.

Pipe tomahawks are artifacts unique to North America. The heads and sometime the entire piece was created by Europeans as trade objects but often exchanged as diplomatic gifts. In many Native American cultures, the tomahawk held a significant ceremonial role. It was often used in rituals and ceremonies, serving as a symbol of power, authority, and spiritual connection. The ceremonial use of the tomahawk further highlights its importance in Native American society and its role in their spiritual beliefs. Tomahawks were symbols of the choice Europeans and Native Americans faced whenever they met: one end was the pipe of peace; the other, an axe of war.

DESCRIPTION

This 1870’s-1880’s Plains Sioux Native American large tomahawk is 22 1/2" overall length, total weight is 1 pound 12.2 ounces. The original hardwood haft has a beautiful deep, dark, naturally occurring brown aged untouched patina with streaks of black that collectors covet. The haft has a slight downward bend with an unusual octagonal (cross section) tapering shape with a pronounced flattened bottom edge. The top, bottom, and both sides are flat, with 4 alternating diagonal flat sections. The haft at the head end is 1 3/4" wide x 1 1/16” thick, and tapers to 1 1/4" wide x 3/4” thick at the mouthpiece. There are around 100 hand applied rectangular decorations called file burning, as a red-hot file end was used to hand apply the numerous file burn marks on all sides except the smooth bottom of the haft. All the brass tacks are handmade, vary slightly, and are original. The bottom haft has 35 tacks in 5 rows of 7 brass tacks, one on each side, except the bottom, that provides a firm grip. The center haft has 21 tacks in 3 rows of 7 brass tacks, one on each side, except the bottom. The top of the haft has 45 tacks, 5 rows of 8 tacks plus 5 additional below the rows, and a flange below the head about 2” long that has 5 file burned notches. The mouth end of the haft has a 7/8” x 3/8” mouthpiece. The haft has a slight flair at the mouthpiece to accommodate the drop loop. The haft has no damage, repairs or alterations, and is in fine + condition. The original hand forged steel head is 9 1/2” across and has a dull edge. The blade is 5 1/4” long to the haft, 3 7/8" wide at the edge, and tapers to 1 3/8” wide at the base. The steel has an untouched naturally occurring patina with a 1” diameter pipe bowl with a top flange edge. The head end of the haft is secured with the original small round wooden peg. The head has a very slight wiggle as it has naturally shrunk over about 150 years and has an old thin leather shim that looks to be leather and appears original or period to the piece. This tomahawk is all original, authentic, and in untouched condition. See drop description below.

This large beaded,  fringed, hawk drop is 22 1/2" long overall. There are 20 rows of beads in 5 colors of original antique seed beads in green, yellow, red and blue beads on a white panel of beads and white bead border. The lazy stitch style has around 12 beads in each strand. These beads were imported from Europe (mostly from Czechoslovakia and Austria) and are considered “trade beads” such as Native American Indians trading hides to frontiersmen for decorative trinkets. Note these early style handmade small seed beads have very small variations with slightly uneven dimensions and size, and all of the beads are intact.  The Indian tanned deer hide leather of the drop is sewn together in 2 pieces and shows genuine aging / coloration and is attached to the haft with a deer hide strip with an antique red ribbon red forming 2 streamers and a small piece of grey cloth added decoration. The beaded portion of the drop is 10” long and tapers from 2” at the top to  4” at the bottom. The bottom has a piece of deer hide that has been stripped into 2 sides, each with 17 strands with the middle sewn to the bottom of the deer hide beaded drop and forming 34 fringe strands 13” long with only one strand broken. There is a row of horizonal 11 tin cone decorations with red dyed horsehair tassels attached across the bottom of the drop. Important Note**: The previous owner said this drop was hand crafted several decades ago by a noted Woman who was a Native American Historian, Museum restorer and Master Artisan, using authentic antique seed beads, sinew threat, Indian tanned deer skin, traditional tin cone and horsehair tassels, antique ribbons, et al. Because of the importance of the beads and patterns in authentic American Indian beaded items, I believe this piece is a duplicate of an original piece that had deteriorated beyond repair. The Craftsmanship, authentic patterns and methods used are Museum quality, and in the spirit of what an original piece with meticulous and painstaking attention to detail using thousands of hand strung beads and must have taken weeks to create. Very few collectors could discern whether this drop was antique or not, especially when matched with the fine + original condition of the authentic tomahawk. This handsome piece has a lot of eye appeal.

Provenance: from an Iconic Bowie Knife / Western Americana / Native American California collection.