war club of Chief Shingwauk

war club of Chief Shingwauk

war club of Chief Shingwauk

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Introduction

War club of Chief Shingwauk of Garden River, carved of a single piece of wood so that the counterweight of the knot that forms the ball would make it an effective weapon. Top end of the shaft carved in the image of a panther or lynx-like head. Dr. Oronhyatekha Ethnology collection.

Nation of Maker: Anishinaabe
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular nation(s)

Shingwauk was Anishinaabe

Place of Origin: Garden River First Nation
Date Made or Date Range: Mid 17 C to Mid 19 C
Materials

Wood including a knot, one hand forged nail at the position of the mouth of the animal form on top of shaft, residue of thread wrapped around the nail

Techniques or Format

Club made out of one piece of wood, heavily weighted toward the ball. Hole in end of handle, four grooves carved at an angle handle for fingers, so that user grips it from one side. Ornamental shape at end of handle

Motifs and Patterns

Top of the shaft, above the ball, is carved in the shape of a cat-like being (possibly Misshipeshoo).

Dimensions: 62.25 × 13.5 × 0 cm
Condition: A piece is broken off the carved image at the top of the shaft, which could alter its appearance and identification of the being represented
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

Cumberland catalogue of the Oronhyatekha collection states that the club could be 200 years old. It is probably not that old, but could be.

Current Location: Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON, Canada
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: 911.3.170, HD 5826
Date of Acquisition by the Institution: 1911
Publication History

F. Barlow Cumberland, Catalogue and Notes of the Oronhyatekha Historical Collection (Toronto: Independent Order of Foresters, 1904), p 32,

Item 142. "War Club of Chief Shingwauk. This famous war-club is said to be over 200 years old, and traditionally did great execution during the early Indian wars when only such weapons were in use. The head is formed of a large rounded natural knot. Note the handle conveniently grooved for firm grip by the fingers. (See Indian war clubs, No. 412)"

GKS Reference Number: 1044
How to Cite this Item

Unknown artist, war club of Chief Shingwauk. Currently in the Royal Ontario Museum, 911.3.170. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2008; GRASAC item id 1044.

Approximate Place of Origin

46.53457094659, -84.153562544379

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