Late 1700s Arikara Elk Hoof Thunderbird Carving Minnesota Rare Find Authentic... For Sale

This is a late 1700s, evaluated to be in the range if 1760-1790s Minnesota Pipestone Elk Hoof Effigy, recovered  near the Minnesota River on private property in Carver County, Minnesota, in the mid 1900s.

The Carving is out of mottled Pipestone specific to Minnesota, demonstrating the speckles.

The Artifact is carved into the shape of an Elk Hoof, a very significant animal to the Native People of the time. Also, in the back displays a Thundebird, a powerful being representing  cosmic power. Each tribe had there own belief if the Thunderbird, the Arikara also thought it to control violent storms.  The Thunderbird is just a remarkable feature.

I drove to the finders home, after hearing about artifacts that he found many decades ago. The finder also had a verified glass vial of Arikara beads from the 18th Century, a mano, and other related artifacts.

I was astonished to see the Pendant he had, an Arikara Refired Glass Pendant. The Pendant would be given to a member of the Arikara Tribe who accomplished something, in the "Blue Bead Right Ceremony."  A notable artifact as well.

I have names of top collector's and evaluators. I stand by the fact this is hundreds of years old and regarded highly as an Arikara Elk Hoof effigy.

  The Name Arikara is said go Translate to "Elk People." The Arikara had a custom to wear two bones/antlers in there hair, in intent to mimic the Elk! The Elk was a powerful Ally and Protector.

Under magnification, the Effigy has plenty of the proper patina, mineralzation, as well as what appears to be be small highly corroded green copper specs. The copper specs likely transfered by copper objects used by the Arikara. Lots of Arikara artifacts were made of copper.  The Carving would have been with a crude knife specific to the time period.  Top MN collectors and evaluators have verified this piece. Mr. Tom Ambell, to name one.

To be honest, I dont really want to get rid of it. I will be accepting offers for consideration.

If an agreement is came to, it will be shipped priority insured mail, with signature.

One of the Best Historic Period artifacts ive seen to date. Priceless to be honest. I