Labels, true or just heaps of bull****

[katana]

Hi Tim,
2 thoughts about the clubs construction. I think the binding is likely sinew, certainly looks like it, with its 'striation', fiberous look. Dried sinew can look like plant cordage. Secondly, perhaps the stone became slightly loose within its binding and, the resin applied as a 'quick fix' to re-secure it. Dampness seriously affects sinew (and raw hide, for that matter) causing it to become pliable and stretchy again (causing 'looseness') alternatively the wood could have dried out and shrunk in a manner that the contact between the stone and branch 'lessened'.

No idea as to origin or authenticity.

As a footnote. I belong to a Paleo forum....many members construct spears , clubs etc using traditional techniques and materials. I am sure that some of these find their way into the mainstream market as authentic. I do not believe they are necessarily made with the intent to deceive, but think there are dodgy buyers whom artificial age them and pass them off as genuine.

Kind Regards David

[katana]

There has been a few Sioux items, sold at auction attributed to the Black Pipe state Bank, South Dakota.

This article, ties the Sioux with Black pipe.
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=B...dakota&f=false

It would appear that the Black Pipe collection mainly consisted of Sioux artifacts.

Regards David

[David]

You can see a lot of examples of different types of Souix war clubs here:
http://www.google.com/images?q=sioux...w=1422&bih=698

[Tim Simmons]

David ie Katana, you are right on further inspection the binding is indeed sinew. I know the stones in the last pictures I post have a groove, I was interested in the bent round and bound stick. The resin that covers the stone is softer {than the stuff I have} in that it does not dry as brittle and if you wanted to you could force your nail or other object into it. I am pleased to see pictures of all the ball forward club which suggest this follows a traditional form. I have said it would not take a master to reproduce items like this. If this is a hobby piece then it was done long ago. I like to think I have been collecting old looking stuff for a few years at least. Does it really look new in the pictures?

[Tim Simmons]

This is a very curious feature to this club, four tiny Zinc? pins. There are sections of under painting on this club that show through the raw hide. The wet hide has been bound when wet to harden on the club stick. The raw hide on this club is not as fine parchment like as on the bound stone club. Although the stone on this club is small I think it could still crack your skull equally there must have been dance clubs? The pins are a strange addition?

I am still on the fence, but a great deal more of my weight is leaning to possible authentic pieces.

[Tim Simmons]

I have just thought of the answer to the metal pins. It is the forgers, hobbyists signing off, like a master forger painting a digital wristwatch on a fake Gainsborough.