SKINNER AMERICAN INDIAN & ETHNOGRAPHIC ART AUCTION SEPTEMBER 26TH IN BOSTON
Pre-Columbian, African, and Polynesian Material
Plains Offerings, Pottery, Weavings, Basketry, and Navajo Jewelry
BOSTON, Mass. – September 9, 2009 – www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, Inc., one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art, today announced that its upcoming auction of American Indian and Ethnographic Art will be held on Saturday, September 26th at 10:00 a.m. in the Boston gallery. The sale features an eclectic array of material from more than 100 consignors including both historical societies and private collections. The vast majority of the property is fresh-to-the-market and in fine condition, with estimates reflecting current economic conditions.
Pre-Columbian & Tribal
The sale commences with an interesting grouping of Pre-Columbian material highlighted by a feathered cocoa bag, c. 500-800 A.D. (lot 52, est. $300-400); a thousand-year-old poncho (lot 51, est. $350-450); a Peruvian balance beam, likely used for weighing spices (lot 56, est. $250-350); a stone and metal necklace, with crystal pendant (lot 43, est. $300-400); and a shell and silver necklace, with warrior amulet beads (lot 42, est. $300-400).
Other Pre-Columbian offerings of note include a carved wood lime container (lot 49, est. $400-600); a Northern Argentinean carved stone bowl, c. 200 B.C.- 300 A.D., with two spotted feline forms looking up from the rim (lot 77, est. $4,000-6,000); a Huastec limestone figure (lot 17, est. $6,000-8,000); and two Mayan stucco panels, c. 550-950 A.D. (lot 16, est. $4,000-6,000).
The September sale features an extensive selection of tribal material. The show-stopping piece might likely be a Maori carved wood male figure from 19th century New Zealand (lot 203, est. $30,000-50,000). The figure comes from the collection of Rev. Alfred Fairbrother, by descendant of his family. Rev. Fairbrother was living in New Zealand on expedition with the Baptist church in the 1880s. The 1886 eruption of the volcano “Mt. Tarawera” destroyed the small Maori village and forced his leave. Upon his departure, the chief of the tribe bestowed upon him several hand-carved idols, tools and weapons, including the above reference lot. Also from the Rev Fairbrother’s collection is a Maori Tiki carved wood figure (lot 195, est. $3,000-4,000).
Additional tribal highlights include a large Polynesian carved wood treasure box (lot 196, est. $12,000-16,000); an Amazonian Tomoko mask (lot 123, est. $300-500); an Indonesian carved wood panel (lot 128, est. $900-1,200); a Hawaiian feathered lei from the last quarter of the 19th century (lot 184, est. $800-1,200); a Hawaiian poi bowl (lot 189, est. $8000-1,2000); and a nice selection of a dozen Aboriginal spears.
From Africa comes a carved stone head (lot 119, est. $6,000-8,000); a Boli figure (lot 120, est. $3,000-4,000); a ceremonial trough (lot 118, est. $5,000-7,000); a Yoruba carved wood helmet mask (lot 105, est. $7,000-9,000); and a carved wood drum, possibly Fang (lot 115, est. $400-600).
American Indian
Very fine examples of Plains material will be up for bid highlighted by a beaded and quilled buffalo hide rifle scabbard (lot 240, est. $10,000-15,000); a beautiful beaded and quilled hide pipe bag from the late 19th century, beaded on one side with two American flags over a single bison, the other side with a single horse and geometric and cross devices (lot 233, est. $4,000-6,000); a rare carved wood triple-blade club (lot 234, est. $25,000-35,000); and an Indian pictograph book, c. pre-1881, entitled Indian Autographs (lot 245, est. $8,000-12,000).
Among the American Indian offerings is a Northwest Coast carved wood raven rattle (lot 345, est. $6,000-8,000); a lovely pair of Northeast beaded and quilled cloth and hide moccasins (lot 256, est. $5,000-7,000); a Southwest late classic Moki blanket (lot 376, est. $8,000-12,000); and a Germantown weaving depicting a locomotive (lot 378, est. $600-800).
The sale also features one of the largest selections of Navajo jewelry to ever be offered in a Skinner American Indian sale. The jewelry comes from two collections and features an incredible selection of bracelets, as well as belts, rings, necklaces and pins. The majority of lots 262 to 309 are estimated between $200 on the low end and $2,000 at the high. Finally, the sale rounds out with a fine variety of Kachina dolls, pottery and twined basketry.
Preview and Catalog Information
Previews for the auction will be held from 12 to 5 p.m. Thursday, September 24th, 12 to 7 p.m. Friday, September 25th, and 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday, September 26th. Illustrated catalog #2473 is available by mail for $35 ($42 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 508-970-3240. It is also available at the gallery for $32. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. For more information, visit www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, and order catalogs online.
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About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Paintings & Prints, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Discovery and Science, Technology & Clocks. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Marlborough, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.