[ Prehistoric/Historic Artifacts ] 16.75in Sauk Indian Pipe Tomahawk with original haft - (See front cover and pg. 18) The Sauk sacred bundles and their ceremonies included a smoking pipe. In many cases a pipe axe tomahawk was used. This Sauk Indian, carved effigy, medicine pipe tomahawk has 14 carved 'gentes' images in the Great Lakes art style. 'ne carved haft of ash wood is 16.75in long. It was coated with old gun varnish and accented with black paint on the 'gen' effigies. The varnished surface has gathered a glowing patina and has crackeled over time to a rich amber color. The 'gentes' carvings are a Horse, Deer, Grouse, Man with flintlock, Rams head, Panther, Whiskey bottle, Elk head, Buffalo, Great Horned Owl, 18th Century Smoking Pipe, Swan, Sturgeon and a Frog. The 15th carving, closest to the mouth piece is a scroll. Carved in the scroll, top line, is a star, the date '1870', followed by a second star. On the second line is a design or letter 'D' followed by small marks or new dings. The remainder of the second line reads 'SAULTEURS'. The 'T.E.U.'being slightly obscured with modem dings or teeth bite marks. This artifact is a very historically important part of the Sauk Indian culture. It is one of the few items surviving time that displays a tribes partnership with nature and religion, complete with pictorial art. The 5.25in long iron pipe axe head ws forged from a gun barrel. It is of the 1840 period, Phase 11, transitional type. It has the early tear drop eye and is file cut with notches and X decoration. I know of no other pipe tomahawk with this much effigy decoration on the haft. There is no question that this ceremonial pipe was a very important sacred Sauk medicine, of the 1870 period. It reflects and remembers the old cultural meanings and displays the 'gentes' that were important to the Sauk Indians and its creator. It is true American Indian effigy art, at its very best. Pictured in Tomahawks & Pipe Axes, pgs. 82 & 84; Indian War Club of' the American Frontier, pgs. 238-239; Accompanied by a book of Hawk's History - Ex. J. Baldwin Collection. This is one of the best & most unusual hawks we have offered for auction.