**First Time At Auction**

Native American, Pacific Northwest Coast, Washington, Whidbey Island, Salish culture, ca. 14th to 18th century CE. An incredible pecked and polished stone club weapon in the form of a zoomorph - a rare and extraordinary piece made from a dark argillite. Whether this club was simply ceremonial or used as a weapon is unclear - clubs were used during times of conflict, but after European contact, similar clubs were used as status symbols in potlatches. Clubs were widely used by fishermen to stun or quickly kill prey, so this is another possible use or symbolism behind such an ornate implement. The abstract carving which resembles a canine - perhaps a wolf or fox - suggests this was a special piece, the animal imbuing power to the person who wielded it. The opposite handle grip is smooth with a slightly phallic shape. Size: 12" L x 1.5" W (30.5 cm x 3.8 cm)

This club type is incredibly rare and was discovered during by an electrician while trenching wires and was professionally analyzed by the Artifact Company in Mount Sterling Kentucky and comes with the Advanced Artifact Report of authenticity. The inspection report includes microscopic analysis, multispectral inspection, and close examination of surface mineralization, and concludes that the construction is consistent with other published examples.

A similar example of this type is on the Metropolitan Museum of Art's website, accession number: 1979.206.765.

Please note this item falls under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act and is not eligible for international shipping. Native American, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian objects are only eligible to ship within the United States.

Provenance: private Cadwell, Idaho, USA collection; ex-BC Artifacts Ltd., British Colombia, Canada, 2020; ex-Flury & Company, Seattle, Washington, USA; Found by Philip Todd on Whidbey Island, Washington, USA, 2002. 

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#177636

Repaired, with break line across midsection of handle and chips and losses to this area as well. Surface pitting throughout and light mineral deposits.