Rare 18th Century Chumash Basketry Bowl Sells for $90,475.00
A very rare California polychrome coiled basketry bowl, Chumash, from the late 18th century sold for $90,475.00 in Skinner’s American Indian & Ethnographic Arts auction, held on January 11, 2003 in Boston. Additionally, a similar Chumash artifact, a very rare California polychrome coiled basketry tray from the late 18th century sold for $49,350.00.
In commenting on the auction, Douglas Deihl, Director of Skinner’s American Indian & Ethnographic Arts department noted, “This was Skinner’s first American Indian auction to be held in our Boston gallery, and I’m pleased to say that it was tremendously successful, far exceeding even the high estimate for the sale total. The rare Chumash basketry bowl that sold for over $90,000 one of the finest examples of early Californian basketry I’ve ever seen, and the market’s interest in it, and the similar Chumash tray, speak to their rarity and condition. Skinner continues to be a major force in the sale of rare American Indian and ethnographic arts at auction, and we’re confident that this collecting area will remain strong.”
