Central Plains Catlinite War Club

Description:

Central Plains Catlinite War Club, early third quarter 19th century, made from catlinite in the form of a "gunstock" club, with pewter inlay on both sides of the curved end, one side featuring bird silhouettes, the other a bird, elk and buffalo imagery, pierced at the butt end for wrist strap or attachments, an old paper label and painted inventory number on one side, label partly reads, "... Indian man's war ... called ... wakan ... or Sauk stone club ... of Skakopee...," probably made for a ritual/ceremonial purpose rather than warfare, lg. 21 1/2 in.

Provenance: Private collection, Sydney, Australia; Lord Alistair McAlpine Collection, West Green, United Kingdom.
Estimate $18,000-24,000


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