May 17th 2014 Primitive American Artifacts Sale (12)
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/16/2014
Woodland period. Hopewell phase 2000 - 1500 B.P. The Hopewell people are well known for their ability to obtain exotic trade goods from far away places. Kaolin flint, which outcrops in Southern Illinois, is one of the most exotic flints obtainable. The finest flint specimens from this source would have been reserved to trade up to the hands of a master craftsman.The craftsman who made this Ross Blade Masterpiece used an incredibly rare specimen of "translucent sunset orange" Kaolin flint. The artist was able to capture and reflect the warm "gemstone" glow radiating from within the material, which made it so desirable that it was placed among the top ritual regalia of the most elite Hopewellians.This Ross Blade is likely the most beautiful, and one of the largest examples in private hands.Folklore has grown around this famous Blade, and it has been called "The Survivor". Legend has it that this Blade traveled all the way to Utah, where it was found during the restoration of an antique Truck. The Blade had been wrapped in a shirt and hidden in a door panel of the Truck. After all those years hidden out West in a junk field, the Blade found it's way back to it's probable homeland in Illinois, only to be one of the few things to survive a massive house fire. This Blade has a will of it's own, and it wants to Survive. That's why it's known as "The Survivor".
Item Dimensions: L. 8 - 1/8"