| Press Contact: | Catherine Riedell | Douglas Deihl |
| Director of Marketing | Director of American Indian & Ethnographic Arts | |
| Skinner, Inc | Skinner, Inc | |
|
978-779-6341, x231 |
978-779-6241 x | |
RARE CHUMASH BASKETS AND NAVAJO WEAVINGS
TOP SKINNER'S AMERICAN INDIAN
AND ETHNOGRAPHIC ARTS AUCTION
Skinner's First Auction in 2003 Far Exceeds High Estimate;
Rare Chumash Basketry Bowl Sells for $90,475
Navajo Late Classic Moki Blanket sells for $45,825
BOLTON, Mass. - January, 2003 – - www.Skinnerinc.com - Skinner, Inc., one of the nation's leading auction houses for antiques and fine art, and a major force in the sale of American Indian art, ethnographic art, and cowboy artifacts at auction sold a very rare California Chumash basketry bowl, late 18th century, for $90,475 in its recently held American Indian Art auction on January 11, 2003. The Chumash basket was the top lot in a sale that was Skinner's first American Indian auction to be held in its Boston gallery, and arguably one of the auction house's most successful American Indian auctions to date. The next two highest lots in the sale were a very rare California Chumash basketry tray, also late 18th century, which sold for $49,350, and a Navajo Late Classic Moki Blanket, c. 1870s, which sold for $45,825. Overall, weavings, pottery and beadwork sold especially well, accounting for many of the auctions top lots.
"The sale was a tremendous success for Skinner and its consignors, and likewise, our buyers were presented with some incredibly rare material on which to bid," notes Douglas Deihl, director of Skinner's American Indian & Ethnographic arts department. "Skinner also teamed with the American Indian College Fund to host a very successful fundraising event for the AICF in conjunction with the sale. We're proud to continue our avid support of such a great group and a worthy cause. Deihl went on to say, "I'm pleased to report that despite a weak economy over the past year, prices of rare American Indian art and artifacts for auction at Skinner remain extremely strong."
Other top lots from the auction include:
· Lot 527, a Southwest Navajo weaving from the last quarter 19th century , estimated $8,000-$12,000 sold for $31, 725.
· Lot 473, a Southwest Polychrome pottery olla, Santo Domingo, c. 1900, estimated $2,000-$3,000, sold for $11,750.
· Lot 523, a Southwest Navajo weaving, last quarter 19th century, estimated $4,000-$6,000, sold for $11,750.
· Lot 242A, a Micmac beaded cloth cap, c. late 19th century, estimated $2,000-$3,000, sold for $11,750.
· Lot 499, a Southwest Navajo weaving, last quarter 19th century, estimated $1,500-$2,000, sold for $11,162.
· Lot 149, a Southern plains beaded leather pouch, Kiowa, late 19th century, estimated $2,500-$3,500, sold for $10,575.
· Lot 472, a large Southwest painted pottery olla, Santo Domingo, c. 1900, estimated $800-$1,200, sold for $10,575.
Skinner's next American Indian & Ethnographic Arts auction is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2003. For more information on other Skinner auctions, visit Skinner's website, where interested buyers can view all lots for sale in color (with full catalogue descriptions), leave bids and order catalogues online at www.skinnerinc.com.. For information on how to consign your American Indian or Tribal artifacts, please contact Douglas Deihl at 978-779-6241, or via email at americanindian@skinnerinc.com.
Note to Editors: Photos available upon request. Contact Catherine Riedel at 978-779-6241 x 231.
About Skinner:With galleries in Boston and Bolton, Mass., Skinner is a full-service auctioneer and appraiser of antiques and fine art. Regularly seen on the PBS series, Antiques Roadshow, Skinner is one of the nation’s leading auction houses. Skinner conducts auctions year-round and has received world-record prices for many pieces sold at auction. Departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographica, and Discovery. For more information on upcoming auctions, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.