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This item SOLD at 2026 Sep 23 @ 10:10UTC-07:00 : PDT/MST
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Preview: Sept. 19th (10am - 5pm)
Auction Streams live @ 10am Sept 22nd & 23rd.
Auction Pick Ups: Sept. 24th - 26th (10am - 5pm)
Preview and Pick up at: 27294 Fraser Hwy, Aldergrove, BC V4W 3P8
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Heavy ground-stone implement of unusual elongated, wedge-like form, measuring approximately 6.5 inches long. The piece has a substantial thickened end with pronounced shaping around what appears to be a hafting area, together with a long tapered body and comparatively blunt working end. The exact stone type has not been determined.
Considerable comparative research was undertaken in cataloguing this piece. Of particular relevance is archaeologist Jesse Morin's 2015 study, "Classification and Typologies of Stone Celts in British Columbia," Canadian Journal of Archaeology 39(1):82-122. Morin examined 1,374 British Columbia stone celts and identified a specialized northern type termed the "splitting adze," also historically called a "char-adze" or "grooved-adze." His study included 45 splitting adzes and fragments and describes them as unusually thick, heavy implements, generally square or rectangular in section, tapering toward a typically dull working bit and having one or two grooves near the poll for hafting. Illustrated examples in Morin's Figure 5 include specimens from the Nass River and Fort Simpson areas.
Additional comparison was made with the archaeological report Archaeological Investigations at Kaien Siding, which illustrates Northern Northwest Coast stone splitting adzes and discusses their characteristic hafting arrangement. That study notes one or two hafting grooves used for lashing to a T-shaped wooden handle and describes the grooved splitting adze as a distinctly northern Northwest Coast form. Such implements are interpreted as heavy woodworking tools whose mass and relatively blunt working edge were suited to splitting and crushing wood fibres rather than functioning like a finely sharpened cutting adze.
The proportions, heavy construction, tapered profile and unusual treatment of the apparent hafting area on the present piece show noteworthy similarities to these documented Northern Northwest Coast splitting-adze forms. Morin records their distribution principally in the Prince Rupert Harbour region, Haida Gwaii and southeast Alaska, extending inland along the Skeena and Nass Rivers.
The comparison is compelling enough to warrant further specialist study; however, this piece has not been archaeologically provenanced or independently authenticated, and no specific Indigenous nation, date, archaeological period or stone type is asserted. It is catalogued as a possible Northern Northwest Coast splitting/grooved adze head based upon morphological comparison with published archaeological examples.
Type: Ground stone implement; possible splitting/grooved adze head
Possible Region: Northern Northwest Coast, North America
Material: Dense dark stone; exact composition undetermined
Length: Approx. 6.5 in.
Condition: As pictured, with surface wear, abrasions, irregularities & localized losses
Attribution: Tentative; further specialist examination recommended
Auction Location:
27294 Fraser Hwy., Aldergrove, British Columbia, V4W 3P8, Canada
Previewing Details:
Preview: September 19th (10am - 5pm) in-person and video calls.
Previewing Address: 27294 Fraser Hwy, Aldergrove, BC V4W 3P8
Video calls & Facetime previews are available as well via appointment only. To book an appointment please email us at info@madpicker.com with a time between 10am-5pm PDT.
International Shipping is available through 3rd party. See shipping details.
Items must be paid in full on the day of the sale.
NOTE: ITEMS NOT PICKED UP BY September 26th WILL BECOME THE PROPERTY OF DIRECT LIQUIDATION, AND NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED UNLESS ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH US.
Applicable taxes GST 5% PST 7%
Please make sure to include your PST number if you have one.
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| GST |
5% |
GST |
| BPST |
7% |
BC PST |
| NFLD |
5% |
NewFoundland |
| NB |
5% |
New Brunswick |
| NS |
5% |
Nova Scotia |
| PEI |
5% |
Prince Edward Island |
| ON |
5% |
Ontario |
| AB |
5% |
Alberta |
| MB |
5% |
Manitoba |
| NWT |
5% |
Northwest Territories |
| NT |
5% |
Nunavut |
| QC |
5% |
Quebec |
| SK |
5% |
Saskatchewan |
| YK |
5% |
Yukon |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
18% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Shipping is outsourced to UPS and will be picked up from the auction location September 25th - 30th
Should you have any questions or require assistance with shipping, please contact Steve or Brian at:
Phone: 604.205.5888
Email: store325@theupsstore.ca
UPS Store 325 is located at: 4111 Hastings St. Burnaby, BC
Payment Details:
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