pipe, tomahawk

pipe, tomahawk

pipe, tomahawk

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Introduction

A pipe tomahawk with wooden handle or stem. Probably an 18th century item from the Great Lakes region. Acquired by the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in 1937, from Walter William Skeat.

Nation of Maker: American
Date Made or Date Range: Early 18 C to Late 18 C
Summary of Source(s) for this Relative

Museum documentation and the GRASAC research team.

Materials

wood; steel; rawhide

Techniques or Format

The wooden shaft/stem is oval in cross section. It is inserted into a manufactured steel tomahawk pipe. There is a strip of hide threaded through a hold at the handle end. Seven nails have been pounded into the wood at the tomahawk end to expand it for a tight fit and possibly also for a decorative effect. It appears that a rasp was used to shape the shaft.

Motifs and Patterns

There are six "X"s incised around the middle of the pipe bowl (added later) and a cast design of three chevrons in relief in the metal under the pipe bowl with a series of parallel lines underneath. On the outer edge of the blade are three sets of three incised lines.

Condition: Good. No evidence of tobacco residue.
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Tomahawk pipes were being presented and exchanged during this period.

Current Location: Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, UK
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 1937.1341
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1937
Collection Narratives and Histories

Acquired by Cambridge University's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in 1937.

GKS Reference Number: 25549
How to Cite this Item

Unknown artist, pipe, tomahawk. Currently in the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 1937.1341. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip May 2009; GRASAC item id 25549.

Record Creation Context

This record was created as part of a GRASAC research trip to Cambridge University's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, May 4-9 2009.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

Researchers present: Trudy Nicks, Stacey Loyer, Ruth Phillips, and Rachel Hand.

Approximate Place of Origin

43.0703, -80.1184

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