Native American, Southeastern United States, Eastern Woodland, Mississippian, ca. 200 to 1000 CE. A fine pair of hand-knapped chert adze heads with a gorgeous sienna orange hue. One is bifacial with large flaking patterns, and the other is more rectangular. Each body flares to a cutting edge and is polished by age and use. Adzes are simple tool heads that could be attached to wooden handles that served a variety of ritualistic and utilitarian purposes, such as digging, cutting, and scraping hides. Both demonstrate remarkable skill required to shape such items, the longer adze has nearly perfectly straight edges. The creamy warm chert is very attractive and pleasantly tactile. Size: 3.5" L x 1.25" W (8.9 cm x 3.2 cm); bifacial adze: 3.125" L x 1.5" W (7.9 cm x 3.8 cm)

Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-Dr. David Harner collection, Springdale, Arkansas, USA, acquired between the 1950s to 1960s

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#168208

Old inventory label written on surface and label on surface of one head. Older age-related losses and chips to peripheries of both. Surfaces are heavily polished with nice coloration.