Sold for $31,250

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Lot Description

Algonquian Ball Club, with Decorations

mid-19th century

having a notched triangular butt and finger-grooved handle; body of club profusely decorated with imagery of thunderbirds, horned panthers, horned serpents, and a variety of mystical birds

length 21-1/2 inches

Published:
Dresslar, Jim. "The Ball-Headed Club of the North American Indian" in The American Society of Arms Collectors, Bulletin 59 (1988: 37).

The duality of upper and lower worlds is likewise ubiquitous and particularly well developed among Algonquian-speaking groups such as the Menominee, whose hierarchical system has been described by Skinner (1921: 29-31). Among the latter, the most powerful upper world being the sun, followed by the Thunderbirds, and the chief of the underworld was a Great White Bear with a long copper tail, followed by the great Underground Panther and Horned Hairy Serpent (Fox: 2004: 283).

Fox, William A. "Horned Panthers and Erie Associates" in A Passion for the Past Papers in Honour of James F. Pendergast. Ed. J.V. Wright and J.-L. Pilon Archaeological Survey of Canada Mercury Series Paper 164 (2004: 283-304).

Skinner, Alanson. "Material Culture of the Menomini" in Indian Notes and Monographs. Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation (1921: 29-31).

Exhibited:
June 30-2015 - May 2016. Anishnaabek Art: Gift of the Great Lakes. Harbor Springs Area Historical Society, Harbor Spring, Michigan

Published:
Hemenway, Eric and Mary Cummings. Anishnaabek Art: Gift of the Great Lakes (2015: 9).

Property from the Estate of Robert Streett

Ex William Myers Collection, Ohio

Condition Report

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