Exceptional Artifact & Collectible Auction
Lot 164:
4 1/2" Nicely Developed Keokuk Axe Found in Fulton County, Illinois
This finely developed and well polished speckled granite Keokuk axe measures approximately 4 1/2 inches and was found in Fulton County, Illinois. Crafted from a dense, attractive granite with naturally occurring light and dark mineral inclusions, the piece shows the classic workmanship associated with Keokuk axes of the central Mississippi Valley. The bit is well shaped and evenly ground, and the body displays smooth, deliberate polishing that highlights the speckled character of the stone. The overall form is symmetrical and well balanced, reflecting careful shaping and extended finishing effort by the original maker.
The poll end is rounded and properly finished, and the sides show the gentle taper and clean lines expected of authentic Keokuk examples. Surface wear is consistent with age, including light smoothing and minor contact marks typical of long term burial and handling. No modern grinding, reshaping, or restoration is evident. The axe remains structurally sound, with the bit intact and the polish well preserved across the majority of the surface.
This is a very good example of the type, notable for its symmetry, polish, and attractive speckled granite material. Keokuk axes are a classic Woodland to Mississippian tool form of the Illinois and Mississippi River regions, and this specimen represents the tradition well.
Provenance: Found in Fulton County, Illinois. From the late Chuck Asher Collection.
Condition: Authentic
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