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NORTHERN PLAINS STONE HEAD WAR CLUB –– IMPRESSIVE
WELL WORKED STONE HEAD, RAWHIDE COVERED, SINEW SEWN WITH
QUILLWORK DECORATION – CLASSIC FORM: This is a
classic example of the war clubs carried by the warriors
on the Northern Plains during the 19TH
Century. At once a lethal instrument in the hands of
warrior and yet a graceful piece of Native art, it is
little wonder that these clubs remain one of the most
sought after Indian Wars era collectables. Though
lightly decorated, this example is definitely a war club
made during the years of hostilities and not a piece
made in later years for the tourist trade.
Of the length and form often referred to as a “Horse
Club”, this war club presents in such a length and
proportions that it must have been a fearsome weapon
when wielded by a mounted warrior bearing down on his
enemy. Further, this club exhibits several features
which indicate it was a cut above the simple utilitarian
clubs that are normally seen, possibly one carried by a
warrior of some note or importance.
Crowning the flexible shaft is an impressive stone head
which was hand worked to shape, resulting in eight
facets radiating out to each tip rather than the usual
rounded oval shape. The head is made of a light colored
stone which exhibits a softening of the edges of the
facets through age and wear. The stone head is full
form with no cracks, breaks or missing pieces. At the
top of the stone head at the peak of the securing hide
is a bundle of short buckskin thongs which may have been
in this simple form originally or each may have been
decorated with a small feather, a common treatment on
these clubs.
Of special note, this club features finely executed
bands of porcupine quillwork on the band of hide which
secures the stone head to the shaft, and at regular
intervals around the shaft. As fragile as quillwork is,
that this decoration survived intact is notable. The
quills were originally dyed and some evidence of the
colors still survives on each band. That the colors
have faded indicates to me that the dye used was the
natural pigments available before the stronger, longer
lasting aniline dyes were obtained from the traders.
The quillwork is mostly intact, with one band around the
shaft missing – simply worn away due to the club being
carried. The other bands show very minimal wear and for
all intent and purposes are fully intact.
The shaft, measuring 26” long and approximately ˝” in
diameter, is covered with native rawhide stitched with
sinew. The sinew stitching is intact with no separation
and has a smooth, well handled texture, again evidence
of the age and wear of this piece. The rawhide covering
is very tight over the underlying wood shaft and the
natural shape and curves of the wooden shaft can be seen
and felt through the rawhide, indicative of it being
made of natural growth wood and not finished lumber.
Attached to the bottom of the shaft is the remnant of an
animal hair tassel, and based on the remaining hair, it
appears that it is what remains of a section of a
decorative buffalo tail pendant that was full length
when the club was first made. The rawhide securing the
head and covering the shaft has a very pleasant aged and
well handled patina.
From the earliest years of conflict between the Native
Americans and the American Soldiers, the war club in it
various forms has been one of the most sought after
battlefield trophies. In the earliest of photographs
taken of the interiors of period officers’ quarters and
enlisted men’s barracks these war clubs can be seen hung
on the walls as mementos of the soldiers’ service on the
frontier. This is an excellent specimen which has
survived in particularly nice condition, and it will fit
well with your display of Indian Wars era weapons and
equipment.
(0414) $1850
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