View Single Post
Old 12th November 2012, 02:44 PM   #11
Pukka Bundook
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 803
Default

Looks very attractive Tim.

I too think somewhat later though, as the wool has a much cleaner less faded and less worn look to it than the other very nice examples that you show.
The beadwork too looks very crisp, and particularly the 'neck' of the club, one would have expected to see wear there from flexing.

Yellow Wolf (Nez Perce) had a rawhide -covered ball club, but made with a rigid short shaft. It appears to have been entirely satisfactory though!
It was made in the latter days of the Nez-Perce' freedom, but does look much more worn than this one.
The other point is that the head can be very original to the early 19th century, but have had new handles and dressing applied to keep it 'respectable' for ceromonial use.
This is always very difficult to tye down!

Thinking of our own farm/woodwork tools, we have some in the family from the last years of the 18th century, But, some have been re-hilted quite a few times in that period.
So, I'd say Nice , very attractive piece, Tim. Possibly from the period you ascribe, but I Think with newer dressings.

Best wishes,
Richard.
Pukka Bundook is offline   Reply With Quote