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Davy Crockett Ceremonial Hatchet, 1835

Crockett, Davy

Use of the axe as a political symbol dates to the era of Congressman Davy Crockett (1786–1836). Like his fellow Whigs, Crockett recognized the political value of assuming a self-effacing personality. His partisans played along. The Young Men’s Whig Association of Philadelphia, for example, presented Crockett with this ceremonial silver, mahogany, and ivory-tipped hatchet in 1835. One side of its head is engraved, “Crockett.” The other side is engraved with his motto, “Go Ahead.”

Date

1835

Type

Tomahawk

Medium

ivory (?? material)

Department

NMAH

Institution

National Museum of American History

Object number

nmah_495534