pipe tomahawk

pipe tomahawk

pipe tomahawk

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Introduction

Engraved tomahawk-pipe with brass plate, stating it was given to Joseph Brant. English or Haudenosaunee, possibly Mohawk, made around 1800. Purchased by the British Museum from Norman Bancroft-Hunt in 1981.

Nation of Origin

Haudenosaunee or English. According to the British Museum accession record, it was supposedly given to Joseph Brant.

Date Made or Date Range: 19 C
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Created with information from the British Museum accession record.

Materials

Its handle is made of wood, possibly oak, with its metal tomahawk blade and pipe bowl likely made of silver. Decorated with an engraved plate and brass cap.

Techniques or Format

The blade has incised edgings on both sides and is decorated with engraved floral motifs.

Motifs and Patterns

There are floral motifs on the blade and pipe bowl.

Dimensions: 0 × 4.5 × 0 cm
Condition: Fair. The tomahawk's head is loose.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

The British Museum object catalogue lists

Current Location: British Museum, London, UK
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: Am1981,17.1
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1981
Who the Institution Acquired the Relative or Heritage Item From: Norman Bancroft-Hunt
Collection Narratives and Histories

Purchased by the British Museum from Norman Bancroft-Hunt in 1981. It was supposedly given to Joseph Brant.

Exhibition History

April 2005 - Art of this Land exhibition, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Canada. 2007 - Palace Beijing Exhibition

Publication History

Rayna Green (ed), 'The British Museum Encyclopedia of Native North America,' British Museum Press, 1999.

GKS Reference Number: 26922
How to Cite this Item

Unknown Haudenosaunee artist, pipe tomahawk. Currently in the British Museum, Am1981,17.1. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2007; GRASAC item id 26922.

Record Creation Context

This record was created as part of a Great Lakes Research Alliance for the Study of Aboriginal Arts and Cultures (GRASAC) research trip to the Pitt Rivers Museum and British Museum, December 8-22 2007, funded by a grant from the International Opportunities fund of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Record Creation Notes/Observations

Researchers present: Heidi Bohaker (HB), John Borrows (JB), Lindsay Borrows (LB), Alan Corbiere (AC), Darlene Johnston (DJ), Jonathan King (JK), Henrietta Lidchi (HL), Stacey Loyer (SL), Janis Monture (JM), Bruce Morito (BM), Ruth Phillips (RP), Anne De Stecher (AS), Cory Willmott (CW).

Approximate Place of Origin

43.6, -71.9