Ball headed war club

[nameless]

Originally Posted by dhjrcarver

Nameless
I didn't mean for my statement to be a salaam! As a reasearcher on Native American woodcarvings ,I am always searching for new information.I was hoping you had something I haven't seen yet.
Don Holsinger

I appreciate your experience, and realize the limitation of mine.
What's your opinion of THIS antique ball club. I can't tell from the pix whether root burl or no. Perhaps your eyes can discern?
It doesn't seem that THIS one is, though. See? There's at least one out there. *__-
Thanx.

[dhjrcarver]

Nameless,
The first of the two ball clubs looks like the typical 19th cent ball club carved from a root ball and has the war record-power symbols style cavings on the handle.
the second club is a modern repro that has been antiqued ,a very crude attempt carved from a plank.
Just my opinion with out handling them personally.Others milage may vary.
Don Holsinger

[nameless]

Originally Posted by dhjrcarver

Nameless,
The first of the two ball clubs looks like the typical 19th cent ball club carved from a root ball and has the war record-power symbols style cavings on the handle.
the second club is a modern repro that has been antiqued ,a very crude attempt carved from a plank.
Just my opinion with out handling them personally.Others milage may vary.
Don Holsinger

Ahhh! So the first, in your opinion, is genuine, and the second a 'fraud'. Is the 'plank' or 'branch joint' the giveaway, or what else tipped you off that it is a fake? Intuition? Something specific? ESP?

(Things always appear closer then they really are! *__-)

By the way, thanx for looking, and for your opinion.

[dhjrcarver]

Nameless,
As to the second club,it has edges that are too sharp,the color isn't right-lacking patina,the starting bid of 10.00$ also tell a lot.A lot of collectors watch evil bay and will bid fairly on a club with provanace.The second one just doesn't have the "look". Just my opinion,without having handled the club personally.
The historical forum I'm on every night is currently discussing the war or tally marks on warclubs.Very interesting infomation.
One of the refrence books I use a lot is "Three Centuries of Woodlands Indian Art" edited byJ.C.H.King and Christian F. Feest.
Another refrence book I use is "Art of the American Indian Frontier" By David W. Penny-The Chandler-Phort Collection located in Detroit Mich. I use this one alot ,carving 5 or 6 items that I use for my talks on Native woodcarving.
Don Holsinger

[nameless]

Thanks for the info, Don, and the referrences. You are right in that it really needs to be a hands-on thing, but I see what you are saying about edges and patina.
Thanx again
peace