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APACHE “FLOP HEAD” WAR CLUB – VERY NICE SPECIMEN –
STONE HEAD, RAWHIDE COVERED, SINEW SEWN – CLASSIC FORM:
This is a classic example of the war clubs carried by
the Apache Warriors 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. Definitely a war club
made during the years of hostilities and not a piece
made in later years for the tourist trade.
An ingenious design that transcends ancient cultures
across the globe, the rawhide encapsulated stone head is
depended from the rigid shaft by a length of braided
rawhide. This flexible connection allowed for the head
to develop more inertia as the club was swung, resulting
in a much greater impact when it struck the enemy than
that delivered by a club which had the stone head
attached directly to the shaft. Measuring 2” in
diameter, the stone head is of substantial weight, and
the rawhide covering is fully intact and very tight.
The flexible braided suspension measures 5” long and the
thick braid, while still flexible, shows no weak points
or breaks.
The shaft, measuring 15” long and approximately 1” 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 cuts
used to shape the wooden shaft can be felt through the
rawhide. The twisted rawhide wrist loop is still
attached and full length. Attached to the bottom of the
shaft is the remnant of
animal hair, probably what
remains of a section of a decorative cow or horse tail
pendant that was full length when the club was first
made.
The rawhide covering the head, forming the flexible
flail, covering the shaft, and forming the twisted wrist
loop all has a very pleasant aged and well handled
patina.
As seen in period photographs displayed on the walls of
period officers’ quarters and enlisted men’s barracks as
part of their trophy collections, this particularly nice
specimen will fit well with your display of Indian Wars
era weapons and equipment.
SOLD
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