Exceptional Artifact & Collectible Auction
Lot 11:
1 3/4" Gem Point - Columbia Plateau Arrowhead
This 1 3/4 inch Columbia Plateau basal notched point is a finely made Late Prehistoric example crafted from classic Columbia River chert showing natural brown and gray tones with the soft satin sheen typical of well patinated Plateau material. The blade is a compact triangular form with well defined basal notches that rise upward from the base a hallmark of this regional type. Both faces show controlled percussion thinning with light pressure retouch along the edges producing a clean and symmetrical outline.
The patination is consistent across the piece and the flake scars show no signs of modern reworking or alteration. The workmanship aligns closely with established Columbia Plateau basal notched forms used across Oregon and the greater Plateau region during the Late Prehistoric period with the upward cut basal notches straight base and triangular blade all serving as diagnostic traits. The artifact bears an old catalog number on one face indicating that it was formally recorded in a prior collection.
This example comes from the late Chuck Asher Estate a respected source of authentic western U S artifacts and represents one of the Oregon pieces preserved within that long standing collection. The Columbia River chert shows proper ancient patination with a natural satin sheen softened flake scars and mineralized surface texture consistent with genuine age. There is no evidence of modern flaking grinding or enhancement and the form material patination and provenance all support its authenticity as a high quality gem sized Columbia Plateau basal notched point.
Provenance. Ex Chuck Asher Estate Oregon
Condition: Authentic
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