SKINNER TO AUCTION AMERICAN INDIAN AND
ETHNOGRAPHIC ART JANUARY 13TH IN BOSTON
Pre-Columbian, African, Plains, Basketry, Pottery,
Northwest Coast Material, and Curtis Photographs
BOSTON, Mass. - DECEMBER 7, 2006
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www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, one of the nation’s leading auction houses, will host an auction of American Indian and Ethnographic Art in Boston on January 13th at 10 a.m. in its gallery at 63 Park Plaza in Boston Comprising over 430 lots, the sale features particularly fine Pre-Columbian, African, and tribal offerings, a wide selection of plains material, as well as rare and unusual weavings, pottery, and basketry.
"As usual, this is a very eclectic sale with something for everyone, no matter what their collecting interest or budget," says department director Douglas Deihl. “When I put together a sale, I’m really focused on presenting a wide variety of quality material for collectors at all levels – even beginners. This auction features much that is fresh-to-the-market from many different consignors, with several lots having descended in families for generations.”
Pre-Columbian and African
The auction begins with fine selection of pre-Columbian, tribal and African offerings. Lot 144 is a pair of Senufo rhythm pounders estimated $15,000-20,000. These artifacts were purchased in the early 1950s by Lee Ault, owner of Art in America magazine from a French art dealer in NY, and have remained in the family since that time. Also offered will be fresh-to-the-market material deaccessioned from the Brooklyn Museum and a few nice items from the Danforth Museum in Framingham, Massachusetts.
Plains Material
Skinner’s American Indian sales are known for their quality collections of plains material. Notes Deihl, “plains material is truly my passion, and I am always searching for interesting examples to present at auction.” This sale features a large group of plains material including, lot 261, a fine early buffalo hide shield and cover attributed to the Dakota, estimated $20,000-30,000. “Its provenance is also interesting,” notes Deihl. “It came from the collection of George Rich III, a wealthy socialite who was married to the Wrigley gum heiress. There are also three beautiful early Cheyenne pipe bags, 19th century, in very fine condition and two pairs of southern plains women’s high top moccasins. Rounding out plains material is a nice collection of moccasins, in various price ranges, several exquisitely beaded pouches, and other beadwork items.
Northeast Material
“One of the best Cinderella stories in my sale surrounds lot 287, a fine pair of Iroquois quilled and beaded moccasins, estimated $8,000-$12,000,” says Deihl. “They were brought to me by a woman who purchased them a year or two ago at a yard sale for $10.00.” Another interesting item from the Iroquois is lot 295, an early wood Iroquois crucifix, dated 1753, estimated $4,000-6,000. It was brought into Skinner’s lobby one day and Deihl felt it a fine example to include in his sale. Also to be offered are some fine birch bark items, including a Northeast pictorial wastepaper basket by Maine artisan Tomah Joseph, dated 1913, estimated $3,000-4,000, and a log caddy dated 1922, probably made by Joseph’s son.
Textiles, Weavings, & Basketry
Textiles and weavings in the auction include two small single figure Yei rugs, a late classic blanket, two fine Germantown rugs, and a fine classic indigo dyed Saltillo Serape. The sale also features a good selection of basketry including two fine pictoral Yokuts jars from California, several California gathering baskets, and some fine Apache and Pima coil baskets.
Pottery
The auction also features a fine selection of historic and contemporary pottery, including items by Maria & Popovi, Margaret Tafoya, Tony Da, and other fine contemporary potters. For historic pottery, there is lot 350, a classic Nampeyo Seed Jar, estimated $15,000-25,000. Notes Deihl, “Nampeyo was the most famous of all Hopi potters and offerings of this quality attract great interest from pottery enthusiasts.” Other fine historic pots include several Zia jars and a fine four color Acoma water jar.
Northwest Coast & Eskimo Artifacts
“Northwest coast material is very much in demand with collectors here in the U.S., as well as abroad,” says Deihl. “This sale features a small but very significant selection of items from the Northwest coast, and what it lacks in number, it makes up for in quality and rarity.” Lot 309 is a rare ceremonial club from the Makah, estimated $5,000-7,000. It came from a collector who purchased it a few years ago at a country auction in England. Lot 306 is a large Tlingit feast ladle with stylized avian handle, estimated $5,000-7,000. “This is another great example of fresh-to-the-market material. This rare and unusual ladle had been in the same Northwest family since the early 20th century. Also from the Northwest coast is Lot 305, a bear tooth Shaman’s crown, estimated $2,500-3,500. Eskimo artifacts to be offered include a beautiful Eskimo wood bowl and a fine pair of ivory snow goggles.
Photographs and Prints
One very beautiful offering in the sale is a large size color lithograph depicting two Mandan warriors in native dress by Swiss artist, Karl Bodmer. Bodmer was the official artist of Prince Maximilian von Wied of Germany, who embarked on an expedition of the upper Missouri River in 1832. Bodmer accompanied von Wied on his travels, recording the trip by watercolor studies. He later used the studies to make lithographs. This example was published by Ackerman and Co. in London in April 1841. Tableau 20, it is estimated $3,000-5,000. Also to be offered are five signed original Curtis photographs in fine condition, two of which are unpublished.
Catalogue and Preview Information
Previews for the auction will be 12 to 5 p.m. Thursday, January 11th, 12 to 7 p.m. Friday, January 12th, and 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday, January 13th. Illustrated catalog #2346 is available by mail for $32 ($39 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 978-779-6241 x240. It is also available at the gallery for $29. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. For more information, call 978-779-6241, or visit www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, and order catalogues online.
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About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art and the only major auction house headquartered in New England. 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, 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 & Ethnographic Art, and Discovery. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Bolton, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner's web site
www.skinnerinc.com.
