Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 12

Native American Penobscot Root Club

$4,500List Price

About the Item

NATIVE AMERICAN, PENOBSCOT ROOT CLUB WITH GREAT CHARACTER AND PATINA, ca 1870-1890's Carved from small birch trees, uprooted and turned on end, root clubs were a tradition of the Maine Indian Penobscot and Passamaquoddy tribes. Originally carried as a weapon, though sometimes made for ceremonial use, post-1870 these were generally carved by the Penobscot to be sold in the tourist trade. With great color, form, and patina, this particular example dates right on the cusp of that 1870 date line, or within the last quarter of the 19th century. The carved face has exceptional folk qualities that transform as you turn it around. The back of the head has great texture from the natural root. The root ends are carved into points that make it practical for use as a war club, but at the same time resemble either a feathered headdress, or, individually, the sort of peaked caps worn by some of the men and women of the Maine tribes. The Penobscot became part of the Wabanaki Confederacy, an alliance of Native American people that included the Passamaquoddy, Micmac (Mi’kmaq), Abenaki, and Maliseet Indians, who occupied Maine and parts of Canada. The name Wabanaki means “People of the First Light” or “People of the Dawnland,” referring to the fact that they lived where the sun rose on North America. The shaft of the club is chip-carved and incised between the head and the grip. Both of these things are typical of Penobscot root clubs, which often had human faces with the eyes and eyebrows painted. In this case, some of the hair is painted as well. The shaft is stained red to give it color and distinguish it from the face. The surface is as wonderful as the form. In all, a great example of 19th century, Native American Folk Art, with a very well designed, custom made mount for wall display. Condition: There is a natural split in the handle from shrinkage of the wood, but the club is extremely sound.

Dimensions:
Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 7.5 in (19.05 cm)Depth: 8 in (20.32 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Hardwood
Place of Origin:
North America
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1870-1890
Condition:
See Item Description.
Seller Location:
York County, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: fcs-2141stDibs: LU849718471042

Antique 19th Century American Native American Objects

Materials

Clay

Native America Antique Hand Carved Granite Human Head

$6,500

H 12 in Dm 7 in

Native America Ancient Hand Carved Stone Pipe Idol Sculpture

Located in South Burlington, VT

From Native America and a collection dating to 1951, comes this unique old hand carved stone human effigy pipe figure idol , likely Hopewell culture with its bun head and ear spool...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier American Native American Objects

Materials

Stone

Native America Ancient Hand Carved Stone Pipe Idol Sculpture

$3,600 Sale Price

47% Off

H 5.5 in W 2.5 in D 3.5 in

Native America Ancient Hand Carved Stone Kachina Effigy Sculpture

Located in South Burlington, VT

From Native America Southwest comes this unique ancient hand carved stone "Kachina" sculpture, Chaco culture, Farmington, New Mexico region. ...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier American Native American Objects

Materials

Stone

Native America Ancient Hand Carved Stone Kachina Effigy Sculpture

$3,840 Sale Price

20% Off

H 11 in Dm 3 in

1920s Native American Penobscot Bear Paw Snowshoes

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Pair of miniature Penobscot snowshoes, decorated with red and green wool tufts. Sinew sewn. 11” x 7”, with brain-tanned thongs. Made for a child. Exceptional sinew work. Rare and col...

Category

Early 20th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Wood

1920s Native American Penobscot Bear Paw Snowshoes

$750 / set

H 11 in W 7 in D 1 in

Inuit Indigenous Native American Eskimo Signed Stone Carved Walrus Sculpture

By Native American Art

Located in Studio City, CA

A wonderful soapstone carving of a walrus by the indigenous Inuit People who inhabit parts of the arctic regions of Greenland, Canada, and Alaska. Signed ("E.Y.") and numbered/dat...

Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Native American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Soapstone

Inuit Indigenous Native American Eskimo Signed Stone Carved Walrus Sculpture

$689

H 3 in W 9 in D 3 in

Southwestern Native American Signed Hopi Kachina Katsina Doll in Display Case

Located in Studio City, CA

Nicely made and displayed. Signed by the artist on the base. Kachina figures are believed to act as messengers between humans and the spirit world. Would be a great addition to any...

Category

20th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Wood, Paint

Southwestern Native American Signed Hopi Kachina Katsina Doll in Display Case

$395

H 10 in W 5.5 in D 5.5 in

Inuit Native American Eskimo Signed Large Stone Carved Tusked Walrus Sculpture

By Native American Art

Located in Studio City, CA

A wonderful soapstone large, heavy carving of a tusked walrus by the indigenous inuit people who inhabit parts of the Arctic regions of Greenland, Canada, and Alaska. Signed on th...

Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Native American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Soapstone

Inuit Native American Eskimo Signed Large Stone Carved Tusked Walrus Sculpture

$895

H 6 in W 15 in D 6.5 in

Pair of 18th Century Native American Tobacco Store Hanging Trade Figures

Located in Nantucket, MA

Extremely rare and very special pair of 18th century native American tobacco store hanging trade figures, hand carved in the half round full length figur...

Category

Antique 18th Century American Rococo Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Pair of 18th Century Native American Tobacco Store Hanging Trade Figures

$4,400

H 15 in W 3.13 in D 1.75 in

Large Signed Native American Hopi Original Mudhead Kachina Katsina Doll on Stand

By Native American Art

Located in Studio City, CA

A wonderfully handcrafted/detailed and decorated Native American Hopi Mudhead Kachina doll. Quite an unusually large work. A striking piece overall. Hand painted with leather and possibly turquoise (necklace) accompaniment. Hopi katsina figures, also known as kachina dolls, are figures carved, typically from cottonwood root by the Hopi people. Initially, kachina dolls were made to instruct young girls and new brides about katsinas or katsinam, the immortal beings that bring rain, control other aspects of the natural world and society, and act as messengers between humans and the spirit world. The Mudhead or Koyemsi figure is viewed as a clown/joker figure who is responsible for laughter and entertainment at Hopi dances and ceremonial events. He plays drums and games to keep his audience engaged. The piece is signed by the artist under the base. From an extensive collection of Native American objects and artifacts. Would be a great addition to any Native American Art...

Category

20th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Leather, Wood, Paint

Large Signed Native American Hopi Original Mudhead Kachina Katsina Doll on Stand

$1,250

H 27 in W 10 in D 10 in

Native American Indian Iron Wood Carving Chief Bull Aparoke by Artist Bruce Law

Located in Tustin, CA

"Chief Bull Aparoke" is a legendary work of art from renowned Arizona Native American artist, Bruce Law. Hand-carved from a solid trunk of a rough-hewn Ironwood tree, Chief Bull Aparoke's polished, deeply lined, life size face emerges to evoke the spirit of a stoic Indian Chief who has seen much hardship. Brass plaque beneath the face reads, "Chief Bull Aparoke Sculpture Bruce Law" and has a carved mark of two intersecting bent arrows. Measures: 16.5" high x 11" wide x 11 deep. Weighs 27 pounds. Bruce Law grew up in Phoenix, and now resides in New River, Arizona. Collectors of Bruce’s work include the honorable Barry Goldwater...

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Wood

Native American Indian Iron Wood Carving Chief Bull Aparoke by Artist Bruce Law

$1,800

H 16.5 in W 11 in D 11 in

More From This Seller

View All

Native American Beadwork Gauntlets with an Chief, ca 1880-90

Located in York County, PA

Native American beadwork gauntlets with Indian Chiefs in feathered headdresses, probably souix, Ca 1880-90 Native American beadwork gauntlet...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Objects

Materials

Leather

Native American Beadwork Gauntlets with an Chief, ca 1880-90

$6,500

Carved Owl by Henry Winter, Setauket, New York ca 1920-1930

Located in York County, PA

CARVED OWL BY HENRY WINTER, SETAUKET, NEW YORK, circa 1920-1930's Carving of an owl by folk artist Henry Winter (1897-1982) of Setauket (Long Island), New York, with pleasant, reddi...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood, Softwood

Carved Owl by Henry Winter, Setauket, New York ca 1920-1930

$2,850

"The Graduate" Masterpiece Tramp Art Carving

Located in York County, PA

Masterpiece tramp art carving: "THE GRADUATE" This exceptional tramp art figure and podium, nicknamed "The Graduate", is one of the best pieces of this genre of work that I have ever seen. If the form is outstanding, the painted surface is better, scoring a firm ten out of ten. Probably of Pennsylvania origin, the carving was sold about 25 years ago by Lehigh Valley...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

"The Graduate" Masterpiece Tramp Art Carving

$13,500

Pressed Brass Eagle, Parade Flag Holder and Bunting Tie Back, ca 1880-1895

Located in York County, PA

Pressed brass eagle, an early parade flag holder & bunting tie-back, an especially attractive example, circa 1880-1895 Pressed brass eagles decorated the interiors of Civil War ve...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Brass

Pressed Brass Eagle, Parade Flag Holder and Bunting Tie Back, ca 1880-1895

$4,650

Native American Beaded Watch Fob with Crossed Flags, ca 1915-1920

Located in York County, PA

NATIVE AMERICAN BEADED WATCH FOB WITH A STYLIZED FEDERAL EAGLE & SHIELD AND CROSSED AMERICAN FLAGS, circa 1915-1920’s Native American beaded pocket w...

Category

Vintage 1910s American Political and Patriotic Memorabilia

Materials

Beads

Native American Beaded Watch Fob with Crossed Flags, ca 1915-1920

$1,250

Franco-American Textile with the Image of an Eagle Holding the American and Flag

Located in York County, PA

Franco-American textile with the image of an eagle supporting knotted and draped american and French flags beneath four war planes; embroidered silk floss and metallic bullion thread...

Category