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Auktionsarchiv: Los-Nr. 227

A Well-Documented Northwest Territory Presentation Style Pipe Tomahawk

Schätzpreis
40.000 $ - 60.000 $
Zuschlagspreis:
37.500 $
Auktionsarchiv: Los-Nr. 227

A Well-Documented Northwest Territory Presentation Style Pipe Tomahawk

Schätzpreis
40.000 $ - 60.000 $
Zuschlagspreis:
37.500 $
Beschreibung:

with forged steel American style head, overall length 8.5”, blade 3” wide, with flattened top and strongly keeled lower edge. Blade inset with coin silver and brass decorations on both sides, one face with an inset coin silver heart bordered by rocker engraving and further embellished with punched decorations, the heart itself with a serrated border, the initial “AM” centered on the inside of the heart over a two-lined element. The heart lies within a larger device formed of a heavy gauge brass wire with punched decoration that parallels the outline of the blade. At the top of this devise a inset silver triangle point to the cleft in the top of the heat, while at the bottom, the brass wire forms a conforming “u” shape to match the tip of the heart. The eye of the haft features a silver three leaf clover with punched, stamped and fine rocker decorations. The opposite side of the blade is decorated with a large inset brass punched and stamped quarter moon device outlined with heavy rocker engraving. This side of the blade is further decorated with three silver inset triangles at the point where the blade meets the eye. The eye features an inlaid silver leaf, or spade shaped device embellished with punching and stamping. The coin silver end cap is attached to the haft with two hand-forged nails and further embellished with the name Syuontah in flourishing script. The haft is constructed of highly figured maple, and decorated with three coin silver bands and a coin silver mouthpiece, each with a slightly different engraved and punched element. Two of the three bands cover a diamond shaped silver device centered with the touch mark of “GW.” late 18th century Long utilized for diplomacy by American and British government officials, the presentation style pipe tomahawk was a favorite gift to bestow upon important Native American tribal leaders of the Northwest Territory. Often inlaid with silver and exhibiting superior craftmanship, this style reflected the social standing and status of its owner and thus was highly valued, particularly by non-western groups. With its embellished blade, silver inlays, bands, and engraving, the tomahawk offered here is an excellent example of the presentation style and was probably crafted specifically for diplomatic purposes. The initials “AM” inlaid within a heart on one side of the blade provide a compelling – though not conclusive -- argument for whom the pipe tomahawk might have been made, while the engraved name “Syuontah” offers definitive information about its recipient and ultimate owner. Finally, the touch marks of “GW” provide information on a possible silversmith and where the tomahawk was likely made. The engraved “AM”, the style of the pipe tomahawk, and the probable date of manufacture suggest it might have been made for British Indian Department Agent Alexander McKee (ca. 1735-1799). The engraved “Syuontah” no doubt refers to a Wyandot headman whose name appears in various forms beginning in the early 19th century. “GW” may refer to silversmith George Walker of Philadelphia. McKee entered into the service of the British Indian Department in 1760. Following his 1778 defection to the British side during the American Revolution, McKee rose to the position of Deputy Superintendent and Deputy Inspector General of Indian Affairs. As a representative of the British Crown and interests, McKee worked out of Fort Detroit and would have had the financial capacity and incentive to commission a piece such as this. Perhaps more significantly, McKee wielded extensive influence among Britain’s Indian allies and was well-respected among the various tribes. This stemmed from a life forged among non-Europeans. He was the son of a fur trader and a mother who may have been part Shawnee, but by other accounts was a white woman who had been a captive of the Shawnee. In either instance, McKee’s mother and father embraced many native ways, and passed their familiarity with native culture onto their son. McKee

Auktionsarchiv: Los-Nr. 227
Auktion:
Datum:
11.10.2019
Auktionshaus:
Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
Este Ave 6270
Cincinnati OH 45232
Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika
info@cowans.com
+1 (0)513 8711670
+1 (0)513 8718670
Beschreibung:

with forged steel American style head, overall length 8.5”, blade 3” wide, with flattened top and strongly keeled lower edge. Blade inset with coin silver and brass decorations on both sides, one face with an inset coin silver heart bordered by rocker engraving and further embellished with punched decorations, the heart itself with a serrated border, the initial “AM” centered on the inside of the heart over a two-lined element. The heart lies within a larger device formed of a heavy gauge brass wire with punched decoration that parallels the outline of the blade. At the top of this devise a inset silver triangle point to the cleft in the top of the heat, while at the bottom, the brass wire forms a conforming “u” shape to match the tip of the heart. The eye of the haft features a silver three leaf clover with punched, stamped and fine rocker decorations. The opposite side of the blade is decorated with a large inset brass punched and stamped quarter moon device outlined with heavy rocker engraving. This side of the blade is further decorated with three silver inset triangles at the point where the blade meets the eye. The eye features an inlaid silver leaf, or spade shaped device embellished with punching and stamping. The coin silver end cap is attached to the haft with two hand-forged nails and further embellished with the name Syuontah in flourishing script. The haft is constructed of highly figured maple, and decorated with three coin silver bands and a coin silver mouthpiece, each with a slightly different engraved and punched element. Two of the three bands cover a diamond shaped silver device centered with the touch mark of “GW.” late 18th century Long utilized for diplomacy by American and British government officials, the presentation style pipe tomahawk was a favorite gift to bestow upon important Native American tribal leaders of the Northwest Territory. Often inlaid with silver and exhibiting superior craftmanship, this style reflected the social standing and status of its owner and thus was highly valued, particularly by non-western groups. With its embellished blade, silver inlays, bands, and engraving, the tomahawk offered here is an excellent example of the presentation style and was probably crafted specifically for diplomatic purposes. The initials “AM” inlaid within a heart on one side of the blade provide a compelling – though not conclusive -- argument for whom the pipe tomahawk might have been made, while the engraved name “Syuontah” offers definitive information about its recipient and ultimate owner. Finally, the touch marks of “GW” provide information on a possible silversmith and where the tomahawk was likely made. The engraved “AM”, the style of the pipe tomahawk, and the probable date of manufacture suggest it might have been made for British Indian Department Agent Alexander McKee (ca. 1735-1799). The engraved “Syuontah” no doubt refers to a Wyandot headman whose name appears in various forms beginning in the early 19th century. “GW” may refer to silversmith George Walker of Philadelphia. McKee entered into the service of the British Indian Department in 1760. Following his 1778 defection to the British side during the American Revolution, McKee rose to the position of Deputy Superintendent and Deputy Inspector General of Indian Affairs. As a representative of the British Crown and interests, McKee worked out of Fort Detroit and would have had the financial capacity and incentive to commission a piece such as this. Perhaps more significantly, McKee wielded extensive influence among Britain’s Indian allies and was well-respected among the various tribes. This stemmed from a life forged among non-Europeans. He was the son of a fur trader and a mother who may have been part Shawnee, but by other accounts was a white woman who had been a captive of the Shawnee. In either instance, McKee’s mother and father embraced many native ways, and passed their familiarity with native culture onto their son. McKee

Auktionsarchiv: Los-Nr. 227
Auktion:
Datum:
11.10.2019
Auktionshaus:
Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
Este Ave 6270
Cincinnati OH 45232
Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika
info@cowans.com
+1 (0)513 8711670
+1 (0)513 8718670
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