This is an excellent historic and important pewter presentation pipe tomahawk attributed to the Muskogee (Creek) Native American Indians of Georgia/North Carolina circa early 1800’s. Three examples of this style were made by English blacksmith brothers, Jasper and Colin Thomas and were given as gifts to the Muskogee Creek Chief Tustenuggee Hajo by Sir General George Bowles (1787-1876 British Officer) possibly between 1818 and 1820. The example given to Chief Tustenugee Hajo is on display and in the Museum of the American Indian Heye Foundation Collection at the Smithsonian and is shown in the picture attached for comparison. All three of the examples made by Jasper and Colin Thomas were presented to Chief Tustenuggee and his two sons at a special treaty signing for fur trade, trapping, and fishing rights. This is believed to have been from the same collection and presentation as the Smithsonian Pipe Tomahawk. It is not known which sons this tomahawk belonged to as the accompanying documentation has been lost over time. The head measures 8 5/8 inches in length with a vase-shaped bowl, oval eye, and double-flared symmetrical blade. The blade appears to have a steel insert bit. The hardwood haft is adorned with pewter inlaid bands, a pewter mouth piece with steel smoking tip and poured pewter end cap at the top of the haft. The blade shows exceptional intricate hand-stippled engravings all over the bottom of the pipe bowl, blade edges, eye hole and end cap; along with a large engraved half-moon symbol on both sides. The tomahawk also shows a silver “friendship chain” attached. The piece overall shows an excellent authentic nice, deep patina from age and use. The piece was descended through a family estate in Asheville, North Carolina and was sold to noted tomahawk collector and author John Baldwin. John Baldwin sold it directly to collector Mark Francis in 2001. This is truly a very rare and fine Easter Woodlands presentation grade pipe tomahawk with exceptional art appeal and detail. The piece has been pictured in the upcoming publication/book “Rare American Indian Weapons” by Mark Francis due out in 2018. From the Ex-Collections of Scoville, John Baldwin, and Mark Francis. The tomahawk has a total length of 19.5”. Attached at the end of the lot is the write up and photograph of the mentioned Chief Tustenugee Smithsonian tomahawk for reference. Measures 8.5" x 19.5". The information about the presentation tomahawk was used from the National museum of the American Indian Collections Search Archives of the Smithsonian catalog number 12/9426. The attribution of being one of the presentation tomahawks was given testimony by the family estate to John Baldwin then to Mark Francis. Regardless this is truly an excellent early 19th century Pewter/silver and iron presentation grade tomahawk in wonderful museum quality condition.

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