Bear Effigy Club

This club is believed to represent the elongated, highly stylized image of a bear, most likely the formidable Plains grizzly. It is one of a small group of stylistically similar carvings, one of which belonged to a Yanktonai warrior named First Hail. This club may be one of his creations or that of another carver working within the same tradition and time period. Eastern Plains clubs with relatively straight handles and forward-facing effigies emerged from the long tradition of ball head clubs produced throughout much of the Central and Northeastern Woodlands.