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Lot 5

An Exceptional Copper Dagger / Spear
Sale 987 - Native American Art, Session I
Apr 15, 2022 10:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati
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Estimate
$10,000 - 15,000
Price Realized
$43,750
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
An Exceptional Copper Dagger / Spear
Late Archaic Period, 5000-1000 B.C.
Tobacco Landing, Harrison County, Indiana
length 11-1/2 inches

One of the largest examples of this rare artifact type. Symmetrically designed, the tapered blade features a central raised dorsal ridge along the front and flat surface on the back. The base of the blade is decorated with curvilinear finials, accentuating the elegant design.

In David Lutz’s book, The Archaic Bannerstone he discusses the dating of copper breastplates, daggers, and lizards as being an Archaic artifact.  These objects are found in conjunction with bannerstones (which are solely an Archaic tool). He states:
 
These rare artifacts are often thought of as Hopewellian when in fact they are Late Archaic...Most convincingly is that both artifacts are always found on sites possessing bannerstones (Lutz 2000: 435).

From the Collection of Claude "Henry" Withers
COLLECTION HISTORY
Claude "Henry" Withers, Laconia, Indiana 
Found by Charles Denzinger and Henry Withers

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