Ball club


This artifact is attributed to the Iroquois Nation, the war club is one piece of wood hand carved (possibly cotton wood or linden wood) with the head of a monstrous creature who holds the spherical striking end of the club in its jaws. Such weapons were considered charged with spiritual power, and although made somewhat obsolete by firearms, their use by a warrior merited special honor and esteem. The ball-head form is related, conceptually, to powers derived from spirit beings of the watery Underworld, with the image of a turtle is engraved on the haft of this war club. Circa end of 19th century perfect patina of the time from private collections.

Lenght of the haft: 20,86 inches (53 cm).
Provenance: South Dakota private collection.

Item code:BC02







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