Inlayed War Club Item Number: 50.67.71 from the Brooklyn Museum
Description
The Sioux gun stock club (bottom in photograph) is made of red pipestone too brittle to use for battle. It may have been used in ceremonies since the lead inlays represent potent images; the sun, a bison, a deer, a thunderbird, hearts and arrows. Alternatively, it may have been made for sale. The reverse side at one time also had lead inlays and shows markings that may be more related to astrological signs, half moons, stars and crossed diamonds.
Credit Line
Henry L. Batterman Fund and the Frank Sherman Benson Fund
Item History
- Made between 1800 and 1825
What
- Name
- Inlayed War Club
- Identification Number
- 50.67.71
- Type of Item
- war club
- Material
- steatite stone and lead
- Overall
- length 18.5 in, width 5.5 in, height 0.625 in
Who
- Culture
- Sioux
Where
- Holding Institution
- Brooklyn Museum
When
- Creation Date
- between 1800 and 1825
Other
- Classification
- Arms and Armor