Lot 1095
Rare Catlinite Pipe Tomahawk from the Heike Collection. Catlinite Pipe-Tomahawk, c. early 1820s, from the Rev. R. Heike Collection, Rutland, Illinois. The pipe is covered with inscribed, original designs, birds, floral motifs, stars, crescent moons, as well as typed and written notations from previous owners. Overall dimensions are 6½ in. long x 4½ in. wide. The tomahawk blade is 3½ in. long, cracked and loose at the haft, and the surfaces exhibit wear, but overall still attractive and suitable for display. This Catlinite pipe was documented in Rev. Heike's catalog, dated 1940, page 29, as follows:
"16. Catlinite Pipe in the shape of a pipe-tomahawk. Tobacco on top. It is a 'Pipe-Tomahawk Effigy.' This is not one of the later day items made in the 18th Century for the tourist. This pipe is proof that the Catlinite pipes were made before 1830 and carried down the Illinois River. This pipe was found in a gravel pit years ago on the bluffs between Peoria and Pekin, Ill. We know that no Indian has lived there since the Blackhawk War, 1832. It must have belonged to Indians before that time, as Schoolcraft reports that there was an Indian village on the west side of the Illinois River, where Peoria now stands, when he passed up the river in 1819. This pipe shows extreme patination as well as characteristic Indian designs… It is an exceptional item."
The catalog also includes a concise description of "Catlinite" (page 46):"'Catlinite' or 'red pipestone' was a sacred rock of prehistoric Indians as well as of modern times. And the only place in the world where it can be found in western Minnesota, near the South Dakota line. Only Indians have access and may mine this sacred rock by government ruling. … no white man had access to the quarry, until about 1837 when George Catlin, the naturalist and writer made it a purpose to persuade the Indians then controlling the quarry to permit him to see it. For centuries peace pipes have been carved from this shale-like stone…." One of the earliest Catlinite pipes to be found anywhere!
Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000.
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