56 - Plains Sioux style stone war club featuring a bi-pointed, ground-stone head. Late 19th or early 20th century. The head is secured to a wooden handle by a rawhide wrap that extends down the length of the shaft. The handle and the central stone binding are decorated with glass seed beads in white, blue, red, green, and yellow, applied in a wrapped technique to form repeating geometric bands. 30" L x 7" W x 3" D.

Plains Sioux style stone war club featuring a bi-pointed, ground-stone head. Late 19th or early 20th century. The head is secured to a wooden handle by a rawhide wrap that extends down the length of the shaft. The handle and the central stone binding are decorated with glass seed beads in white, blue, red, green, and yellow, applied in a wrapped technique to form repeating geometric bands. 30" L x 7" W x 3" D. Peter and Wendy collected weapons from the cultures they visited, and this is one of the most formidable: a stone-headed war club in the Plains Sioux style. From the personal collection of Peter Benchley (American, 1940-2006), acclaimed author of Jaws, accomplished diver, and prominent advocate for ocean and shark conservation. Proceeds from the Peter Benchley Collection will benefit five ocean conservation organizations: Peter Benchley Ocean Awards, WildAid, Beneath the Waves, Blue Frontier and Environmental Defense Fund. CONDITION: Fair to poor condition. Significant losses to the beadwork are evident along the handle and central stone wrap, with several loose and dangling strings of beads present. The rawhide wrap exhibits a large vertical crack along the lower portion of the handle. The butt end shows significant wear and loss to the rawhide, exposing the interior wooden core. The accompanying paper note shows creases, staining, and purple ink bleeding throughout. NOTICE TO BIDDERS: The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition. Photos are considered part of the condition report. Complete condition information is available by request, please request no later than 24 hours prior to the auction. All lots are offered and sold "as is", and Willow Auctions will not provide refunds based on condition. Timepiece movements, lighting and electrics have not been tested, and art has not been examined out of the frame unless otherwise stated.