Description:

Native American, Eastern Woodlands, Mississippian culture, Kentucky, Graves County, ca. 900 to 1400 CE. A hefty and powerfully formed stone grooved axe head, shaped from dense, dark stone and ground to a smooth, durable finish. Its compact, weight-forward body and deeply cut encircling groove reflect a tool made for forceful, sustained use, intended to be firmly hafted and swung with authority. Purportedly found in Graves County, Kentucky, the axe aligns well with Mississippian material traditions of the central Mississippi Valley and lower Ohio River region. Its substantial mass suggests use in heavy woodcutting and land clearing, activities essential to agricultural production and settlement building. Finely made examples such as this could also carry social meaning, signaling strength, skill, and control over the landscape. Both utilitarian and imposing, this axe head exemplifies Mississippian craftsmanship where function and presence are inseparable. Size: 6" L x 2.7" W x 4.1" H (15.2 cm x 6.9 cm x 10.4 cm)

Provenance: private Sheffield, Massachusetts, USA collection

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#199604

  • Condition: Expected weathering commensurate with age, but, otherwise, intact and excellent with smooth surfaces. Old collection label on one side with find site inscribed.

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April 3, 2026 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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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