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War club

ca. 1620–80
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
On one side of this rare club is a likeness of its owner, identifiable by his tattoos and hairstyle. His elaborate facial tattooing includes a rayed sun motif at his mouth, a diagonal line across his face, and a zigzag line arcing over his left eye. On the other side of the club is an image of a snapping turtle, the owner’s guardian spirit. Below the turtle are two headless figures, a visualization of his war record. A naturalistic carving of a wolf with his tongue lolling out of his mouth embellishes the end of the club.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: War club
  • Artist: Unrecorded Woodlands artist
  • Date: ca. 1620–80
  • Geography: United States, Massachusetts
  • Culture: Eastern Woodlands
  • Medium: Wood, brass, iron, copper, shell inlay
  • Dimensions: H. 24 × W. 2 1/2 × D.1 in. (61 × 6.4 × 2.5 cm)
  • Classification: Wood-Implements
  • Credit Line: Eugene and Clare Thaw Collection, Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, NY (T0794)
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing