Lot 109

Lot of 6 Illinois Hopewell Cache Stone Blades

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Lot 109
Lot of 6 Illinois Hopewell Cache Stone Blades

Lot of 6 Illinois Hopewell Cache Stone Blades

Estimate: $800 - $1,200

Starting Bid: $400

(0 Bids)
June 5, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
Louisville, CO, US
Description:

Native American, North America, Illinois, Hopewell culture, ca. 100 BCE to 400 CE. A finely assembled cache of six stone blades, each shaped with deliberate precision and quiet skill, representing the refined lithic traditions of the Hopewell culture of ancient Illinois. Knapped from dark chert, the blades display broad, leaf-like forms with carefully struck flake scars that catch the light across their surfaces. Their symmetry and thinning suggest skilled craftsmanship, likely produced using controlled percussion and pressure flaking techniques. While functional as cutting tools, blades of this type were often made in excess of utilitarian need, serving as ceremonial objects, trade goods, or offerings within Hopewell exchange networks that spanned much of eastern North America. Subtle variation among the examples - in size, edge refinement, and coloration - speaks to individual knappers and differing stages of use or production. Size of largest: 4.2" L x 2.5" W (10.7 cm x 6.4 cm)

Together, the group forms a cohesive and evocative cache, embodying both the technical mastery and the far-reaching cultural connections of the Hopewell world.

Provenance: private southwestern Pennsylvania, USA collection, acquired prior to 2000

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Item # 200270

  • Condition: Very Good. All are in fine condition with a few chips commensurate with age. Forms are beautifully preserved with small deposits in lower profile areas.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000