Important Wood and Metal Pipe Tomahawk

composed of a light ash-wood haft of tapering cylindrical section, surmounted by a steel spontoon-style head, finely tooled with an unusual bat-wing cut out, stamped on one side with: "Owned by Red Cloud, A Sioux Cheaf sic 1876.;" fine aged patina overall.

Chief Red Cloud

Acquired from the above in 1876 by Reverend Joseph Ward

Collection of the Santee Indian School

Collection of Yankton Sioux Indian College

Acquired from the above by Jim Aplan in 1971

Acquired by Richard Pohrt for the Chandler-Pohrt Collection

Acquired from the above by the present owner

Yankton Sioux Indian College Museum

The Mark Francis Collection of American Indian Art, Mark Francis, 2010, pp. 106-07.

Very good condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Rarely does documentation exist that links an important artifact to its original owner. In this case, there is at least one photograph of Chief Red Cloud holding this pipe tomahawk which is believed to be one of two that the great Chief owned.

Chief Red Cloud (1822 – 1909) was an esteemed leader and chief of the Oglala Lakota Sioux. He led as chief from 1868 to 1909 and was a formidable opponent of the United States Army. He led a successful campaign in 1866–1868 known as "Red Cloud's War" over control of the Powder River Country in northeastern Wyoming and southern Montana. After signing the Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868), he led his people in the important transition to reservation life.

Of further importance is the distinguished provenance that accompanies the piece. Reverend Jospeh Ward was a catholic missionary and was a founder of the Santee Indian School and later the Yankton Sioux Indian College. It was Ward that had a reservation gunsmith punch stamp and date the head. Richard Pohrt was one of the most significant collectors of Native American art in the 20th century.