Ballhead Warclubs
This type of was used extensively by tribes throughout the eastern Woodlands and further west. I have loosely modeled this piece from the 18th century sample displayed in museums and catalogs. The ballhead comes from a branch junction, where the branch deviates from the trunk making a beautiful and complex grain pattern. I further enhanced the grain using the Japanese shousugiban method of burning.
18th century native American weaponry often was painted with red ochre which was rubbed into weaponry to give protective, mystical and spiritual properties. I used a mixture of red ochre and paste wax. Since warrior’s also covered their bodies, some scholars theorize natives were called the derogatory term “red men.”
With the trade from western settlers came metal adornments, such as tacks, 21 nickel tacks in this case, these were used to enhance the look of the weapons as well. Finally, the handles Is finished with my signature ringbolt lashing, deer foot butt and black horsehair tassel. The deer and horse are revered for their swiftness and so is represented to invoke the characteristics. This type of was used extensively by tribes throughout the eastern Woodlands and further west. I have loosely modeled this piece from the 18th century sample displayed in museums and catalogs. The ballhead comes from a branch junction, where the branch deviates from the trunk making a beautiful and complex grain pattern.