Old Antique Native American Ceremonial Engraved Tomahawk Catlinite Pipe & Stem

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Old Antique Native American Ceremonial Engraved Tomahawk Catlinite Pipe & Stem:
$615.00

Houghton USA

Ancient Art, Antiques, & Fine Collectables

NativeAmerican Artifact

Two-Piece Catlinite Pipe & Stem

Engraved CeremonialTomahawk Pipe

with 9.25\" Catlinite Stem

NorthernPlains: Lakota/Sioux

c. 1890—1920

Note

I certify that these items were legally collected on private land and were made by Native Americans before 1920.

Details

Ihave carefully examined this wonderful Sioux engraved Ceremonial Catlinite TomahawkPipe and estimate it dates to about 1890--1920.It is made from two different pieces of fine pipestone (also called Catlinite) from the sacred Native American quarriesin Minnesota. The pipe stem has a darker patina that suggests it has been exposed to air for a longer period of time and is thus thought to be older. If a sacred pipestone pipe broke, it would bereturned to the Earth and a new one made to fit the old stem. This pipe appears to have been smoked as the blackened area around the base (see photo # 6) suggest the pipe was blessed and used.

The Tomahawk Pipe measures about 4.6\" long x 2.5\" tall x 1\" wide and weighs about 8.3 oz or 235 gr. Oneside of the tomahawk shaped blade has a single, tall flower (see photos 2-4) beautifully engraved between tall grass, while the otherside has three, tulip shaped flowers (see photo # 5).The base of the pipe has a wonderful cross-hatched design and the bowlis also engraved with two parallel lines.

Thestem is about 9.25\" long x .7\" x .9\" and weighs about 9.7 oz or 275 gr. The stem is also made of solid pipestone that has a hole drilled through the centerso it could be used as a pipe. The stemhas four, shaped and contoured sides that are believed to symbolize the Four Directions:North, South, East, and West. (Please see photos 6-11 for details.)

Asymbolic piece like this would have been used in important dance ceremonies and to communicate with the Great Spirit.It is engraved on both sides of the blade with a simple floral pattern,not unlike designs found on Indian beadwork in the Northern Plains as well asin the Great Lakes region. It is reported that Sioux men would oftencarve wonderful pipes like this to give to a special woman as a sign oflove or as a wedding gift. Thus, flowers are often depictedon these special, ceremonial pipes.

Thecatlinite used in both pieces is a beautiful pale orange, a color often seenused by much earlier prehistoric pipe makers. It is sometimes referred toas \"top level\" catlinite.

CONDITION

Thefantastic, two piece catlinite pipe is in very good, used condition with onlyminimal surface scratches and small “flea bites” chips. The pipe bowl wouldnormally have a small wooden male adaptor that would fit into the hollow pipestem. But this small adaptor has beenlost to time. Modern replacementsadaptors can be purchased on that will mate the two pieces together with aminimum of craftwork. However, the twopieces do display beautifully as you can see in the attached photos.

Please examine the attached photos carefully as they are part ofthe description andoffer accordingly.

All photos taken at 4x magnification and my hand is not part of the sale, just there so you can better judge the size.

Note:

Each object I sell is professionally researchedand compared with similar objects in the collections of the finest museums in the world. I have been dealing in fine antiquities for almost 50 years and although certainly not an expert in every field, I have been honored to appraise, buy, collect, and enjoy and recently sell some of the finest ancient art in the world. When in doubt, I have worked with dozens of subject matter experts to determine the condition and authenticity of numerous antiquities and antiques. This documentation helps to insure you are buying quality items and helps to protect your investment.

I offer a full Money-Back Guarantee if a recognized authority in antiquities disputes the authenticity of these fine artifacts.

The Buy-it-Now price is at least 75% off what it would be priced at in a fine Gallery!!

Please ask any questions you may have before you offer!

All sales are Final, unless I have seriously misrepresented this item!

Please look at the 4x macro photos carefully as they are part of the description.

Please note that only Washington State buyers are responsible for the Washington State Sales Tax.

Member of the Authentic Artifact Collectors Association (AACA) & the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA)

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