Among the tribes of the eastern woodlands, few symbols could
be as potent as the ball headed war club.
Missionary John Heckewelder, who spent a lifetime on the frontiers of
Pennsylvania and Ohio, explained that “When the Indians have determined to take
revenge” they would leave a carved war club at the site of an ambush. It was a stark tribal message that many
Europeans failed to grasp, but which native warriors intuitively
understood. “This war club is
purposefully left that the enemy may know to what nation the act is to be
ascribed,” observed Heckewelder, “or, in other words, war will be forthwith
declared against them.”
In one of
the most unique offerings of this year’s CLA fundraising auction, artist Gordon
Barlow has crafted an exceptional reproduction of an 18th century
ball headed war club. Carved from ash
and measuring 3” thick and 18” long, this fearsome club is sure to become an
heirloom work of art. The ball itself is
gripped by the open mouth of a snake, a traditional tribal motif. “To the Native American,” explains the
artist, “the serpent is symbolic of immortality.” Barlow’s finishing techniques imparted the
piece with subtle aging that renders it nearly indistinguishable from surviving
originals. The snake itself is fitted
with glass eyes, and using a mixture of stains and paint, the artist achieved a
color scheme straight from the 18th century.
An accomplished woodworker, Barlow remains a driving
force within the CLA, an organization that he helped form in 1996. Bidders at this year’s auction will not only
have the opportunity to take home a remarkable work of art from a CLA artist,
but a museum-quality reproduction from one of the pivotal figures in the
preservation of traditional frontier arts.
For further information on the work of the artist, contact:
Gordon Barlow
50 Middlebrook Ave.
Staunton, VA 24401
Email: gordon@amaty.com
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