2376 Am. Indian - Rackcdn.com
146
148 149
150
42
151
152
150. Central Plains Beaded Hide Man’s Vest, Lakota, c. late 19th century, beaded on the front and back with multicolored geometric designs on a white background, (minor bead loss), lg. 20 in. $1,500-2,000
151. Pair of Ute Beaded Hide Man’s Leggings, c. last quarter 19th century, with long fringe from the sides, fringed tabs at the bottom, the beaded strips and ankle strip with bold dark blue and medium green geometric designs on a white ground, yellow pigment, includes custom mounts, lg. 38 in. $6,000-8,000
152. Pair of Central Plains Beaded Hide Possible Bags, Lakota, c. last quarter 19th century, the rectangular forms beaded on the front and sides with multicolored geometric devices on a dark blue background, tin cone and red horsehair drops from the sides, one bag with partially quill-wrapped ties, (some professional restoration to back panels), lg. 21 in. $8,000-10,000
153
153. Central Plains Beaded Buffalo Hide Possible Bag, Cheyenne, c. last quarter 19th century, the rectangular form beaded on the front, sides, and flap with multicolored geometric devices on a barred background, tin cones with red dyed horsehair from the sides and flap, lg. 22, ht. 15 1/2 in. $3,000-5,000
154. Northern Plains Beaded Commercial Leather Panel Belt, Crow, c. last quarter 19th century, the beaded panels with classic Crow designs, separated by brass tack decorated open panels, roller buckle, lg. 44 1/2 in. $400-600
155. Northern Plains Beaded Commercial Leather Panel Belt, c. 1900, multicolored geometric devices using small faceted beads and brass tack decoration, (bead loss), lg. 34 1/2 in. Provenance: Edward Averill. $250-350
43
156
158
156. Rare Ute Beaded Tobacco Flask and Necklace, c. third quarter 19th century, the rawhide flask with hide tab, beaded on one side with geometric design using white, “pony trader” blue, black, and pink seed beads, the carved wood stopper is attached to two strands of early mandrel wound beads, lg. 18 in. $3,000-4,000
44
157. Southwest Beaded Hide Child’s Moccasins, Apache, c. late 19th century, the hard sole forms with traces of yellow pigment and red pigment detail, with edge-beaded bifurcated tongues and partially beaded with symbolic designs using multicolored seed beads, with tin cone danglers from the side of vamps and tongues, fringe at the heels, lg. 5 1/2 in. $3,000-5,000
157
159
160
158. Southwest Rawhide and Cloth Double Saddle Bags, Apache, c. second half 19th century, the geometric cut-out designs backed with red (faded) and blue trade cloth, with cut-out tabs and fringe from the bottom, (some loss), folded lg. 46, wd. 18 in. $6,000-8,000 159. Two German Silver Plains Indian Armbands, Lakota, c. late 19th century, both commercially made, with roll-stamp decoration, one engraved “Joseph Wounded Horse,” the other “Blake Whitebear,” dia. to 3 1/4, wd. 2 in. $400-600
160. Central Plains Beaded Hide Umbilical Fetish, c. last quarter 19th century, in the form of a lizard (?), beaded on one side with a multicolored geometric pattern, hide legs and tail, lg. 2 3/8 in. Provenance: Collected by Lieut. John Guilfoyle, who worked with Indian scouts in the Southwest after graduating from West Point in 1877. He was in the 7th and then the 9th Cavalry, and fought in the battle of Drexel Mission at White Clay Creek, South Dakota (the day after Wounded Knee), for which he received the Silver Star. $400-600
45
161
162
161. Northern Plains Painted Parfleche Envelope, Blackfoot, c. last quarter 19th century, the rectangular buffalo hide form with red, green, yellow, and blue geometric pattern on the front, lg. 23, wd. 14 in. $2,000-3,000 162. Northern Plains or Plateau Parfleche Bonnet Case, Flathead (?), c. early 20th century, the rawhide form with polychrome geometric devices on sides and bottom, with red trade cloth and fringe at the seam, lg. 15 in. Provenance: Edward Averill. $800-1,200 163. Northern Plains Polychrome Parfleche Envelope, Crow, c. 1900, the flaps with green, blue, yellow, and red geometric devices, lg. 28 in. $1,000-1,500
46
163
164. Northern Plains Painted Parfleche Bonnet Case, Crow, c. second half 19th century, the tapered cylindrical buffalo hide form with long buffalo hide fringe and carrying strap, the lid and one side painted with classic Crow designs in green, blue, red, and yellow, patina of use, cylinder lg. 21, fringe lg. to 44 in. $8,000-12,000
165. Central Plains Beaded Hide and Cloth Cradle, Lakota, c. last quarter 19th century, the hide top half and flap beaded with multicolored geometric designs on a light blue background, and lined with calico, with cream-colored flannel bottom, overall lg. 39 in. Provenance: From a New England library museum. $3,000-5,000
165
164
47
166. Plains Beaded, Quilled, and Painted Hide War Shirt, c. third quarter 19th century, made from two “big-horn” sheep hides with tail and dew claws left on, decorated with multicolored quilled strips with pony trader blue seed bead frame lines, red trade cloth bibs, red trade cloth wrapped ermine tail drops, quill-wrapped hair drops, and partially painted with blue pigment, (quill loss), lg. 45 in. Provenance: Collected in the 1870s in Minnesota by Robert C. Towsley while on a railroad survey, then descended in the family. Literature: For a similar shirt see Quillwork by Native Peoples in Canada, Royal Ontario Museum, 1977, pg. 11. $150,000-200,000
167. Central Plains Beaded Cloth and Hide Male Doll, c. last quarter 19th century, with muslin body, the shirt, leggings, and moccasins with multicolored geometric beadwork, fringe trim, small beaded knife sheath, red face paint, remnant red trade cloth breechclout, and beaded necklaces, ht. 14 in. $1,500-2,000 168. Plains Beaded Buffalo Hide Pad Saddle, c. third quarter 19th century, the rectangular form with fringe and tabs on the sides and multicolored stripes across the seat, the end panels with early multicolored patterns and detailed with brass shoe buttons, blue faceted beads and tin cone and horsehair danglers, remnant blue cloth cinch straps, patina of use, (bead loss), lg. 18 1/2 in. Provenance: The Niagara Falls Museum, includes old photo of the saddle in situ. $6,000-8,000 169. Rare Central Plains Beaded Hide Horse Neck Cover, Lakota, c. late 19th century, the shaped form beaded with multicolored seed beads on both sides, the strip at the top with projecting horn-like devices, with two sets of crossed American flags, three Morning Stars, and other geometric devices, all on a dark blue background, (bead loss), extended 48 x 48 in. Literature: American Indian Horse Masks by Mike Cowdrey and Ned and Jody Martin, Hawkhill Press 2006. $6,000-8,000
167
170. Plains Pictograph Drawing, c. last quarter 19th century, titled Kills 3 Crows, colored pencil drawing depicting a warrior on foot counting coup on a wounded warrior, and a man and woman shot with arrows, unframed, 13 1/2 x 8 1/4 in. $800-1,200
168
171. Northern Plains Beaded Buckskin Shirt, Blackfeet, c. late 19th century, collected by Walter McClintock, “from the Mad Dog Society,” with ochre pigment on the upper two-thirds, opened at the sides with hide ties, collar and cuffs trimmed with otter skin (?), the beaded strips and bibs with classic Blackfeet designs on a lavender background, profusely decorated with cloth-wrapped ermine strips, a single blue “padre” bead at the top of each strip, lg. 34 in. Provenance: Walter McClintock, collected in the early 20th century and pictured in his book The Old North Trail, MacMillan and Co., 1910, pg. 458. A copy of the book is included along with a copy of a McClintock photograph of the shirt from the Yale collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Note: “The last quarter of the 19th century saw a florescence of beautifully beadworked costumes among the Blackfoot Indians. This ceremonial shirt is an outstanding example of this period. Apparently it was acquired in the 1890s by Walter McClintock; it is illustrated on pg. 458 in his book The Old North Trail, (London, 1910). Its caption “shirt of Mad Dog Society” indicates that it was acquired from a member of this society, though it is not part of this society’s regalia. The pristine condition of this shirt suggests that it was not made long before 1890. The profuse decoration with ermine fringes was formerly restricted to sacred “Weaseltail Shirts,” but the absence of painted marks indicates that this shirt was intended for festive occasions in general. Ermine fringes impart the spiritual power of the fast and ferocious weasel; as such it was an appropriate symbol for the cultural values of Blackfoot warriors. The use of red and black at the ends of the fringes is unusual, and may have been inspired by the owner’s dreams. Unique is also the fur trim around the neck opening.
169
The artistic quality and mint condition of this shirt makes it a desirable piece for any collection.” [Dr. T.J. Brasser] $60,000-80,000
170
50
171
173
174
172. Northern Plains Hide Rifle Scabbard, c. last quarter 19th century, with fringe off the opening and long fringe off the barrel, remnant bead and trade cloth strip on barrel, (bead and cloth loss), lg. 50 in.
173. Western Wood and Metal Pipe Tomahawk, c. last quarter 19th century, the metal head with barrel-shaped pipe bowl, the ash handle decorated with brass tacks and file branding, appears to have its original hide gasket, lg. 20 3/4 in. $2,500-3,500
Provenance: Edward Averill. $400-600 174. Northern Plains or Plateau Wood and Metal Tomahawk, with brass head and ash handle, pierced for smoking, lg. 14 3/4 in. Provenance: Edward Averill. $600-800 175
175. Northern Plains Tomahawk and Beaded Hide Drop, Crow, c. last quarter 19th century, with ash handle pierced for smoking, a variant spontoon-style brass head, the handle wrapped with otter (?) skin at the top and with hide-wrapped lower handle and beaded fringed drop (probably a later attachment), beaded in the Crow tradition with multicolored floral devices on a light blue background, tomahawk lg. 18 1/2, blade lg. 9 3/4 in. Provenance: Collected on the Crow reservation from Elizabeth Smart Enemy. Purported to be the tomahawk of “Bull Don’t Fall Down” (1854-1936) who was with the Crow contingent of scouts with General George Crook at the Battle of the Rosebud. “Bull Don’t Fall Down” laid claim to stripping off the headdress of Jack Red Cloud during the battle. $4,000-6,000 176. Plains Skull Cracker, c. late 19th century, the rawhide-covered wood handle with remnant dark blue and white bead wrapping, the elliptical stone head with lead inlay, lg. 31 in. $300-400
52
177
178
177. Southern Plains Beaded Hide Woman’s Dress, Kiowa, c. 1900, with fringe at the sleeves and sides, partially beaded at the yoke with classic Kiowa designs and colors, with edge beading and beaded fringe, yellow and green pigments, (some restoration), lg. 50 in. $6,000-8,000
178. Plateau Beaded Hide Woman’s Dress, Nez Perce, c. first quarter 20th century, with fringed edging and beaded on the yoke with bold multicolored geometric devices, with simulated deer tail below the neck, and fringe with large trade beads hanging below the yoke, lg. 52 in. $5,000-7,000
53
179
179. Northern Plains Man’s Beaded Hide Shirt and Leggings, Blackfoot, c. first quarter 20th century, both with fringe and perforated tabs off the bottom and sides, the beaded strips and shirt bib with multicolored geometric patterns profusely decorated with ermine tails, bugle beads, wool wrappings, etc., (insect damage), shirt lg. 31, leggings lg. 29 in. Provenance: Edward Averill. $8,000-12,000
54
180
180. Northern Plains Beaded Cloth and Hide Woman’s Dress, Blackfoot, c. 1870, the rectangular buffalo hide yoke with short fringed sleeves and beaded with bands of stepped geometric designs in greasy yellow, black, and pumpkin-colored seed beads alternating with bands of white, the early red trade cloth bottom fringed at the sides and bottom and beaded along the bottom using black and white beads, (bead loss), lg. 50, wd. 32 in. Provenance: A New England library museum. Note: This woman’s dress is an excellent example of fashion change among the Blackfoot Indians during the last decades of the 19th century. As such it presents evidence of the innovative creativity of the Native women in a period of tremendous change in their life. The world of the nomadic hunters was fading away. The fur trader’s cloth, once a rare luxury, now became a necessity due to the lack of elk skins. In order to prevent raveling, cloth had to be cut on the square, initiating the development of a new dress pattern, the square-cut dress. Yet, this new fashion was not a complete break from the past. Not only is the general style of the square-cut dress reminiscent of the former skin dress, but the skin fringes added along the sides and bottom of the cloth dress are also reminders of the past. Most obvious in this respect are the horizontal lanes of lazy-stitch beadwork decorating the top, creating an evenly leveled variant of the meandering lanes on the old skin dresses. Gussets were sewn into the sides to make the skirt fuller. The square-cut dress style became popular among the Blackfoot in the early reservation period of the 1880s, but certain details of this particular example suggest that it was made perhaps a decade earlier. Buffalo skin, extremely rare by the 1880s, was used for the bead-worked top part, and for the fringes along the sides and bottom of this dress. The bright red stroudcloth is the old cochineal-dyed material, definitely old-fashioned by the 1880s. Also old-fashioned is the stark combination of black and white in the beadwork along the bottom. Rather unique is the use of designs worked in the beadwork lanes at the top, though the designs themselves are classic Blackfoot. This decorative enrichment may explain the use of seed beads instead of the conventional and larger pony beads. Most probably this woman’s dress was made by the northern (Canadian) Blackfoot c. 1870. [Dr. T.J. Brasser]. $10,000-15,000
55
181
181. Two Great Lakes Items, c. 1900, a multicolored loom-woven sash, and a model cradle mounted on a painted green board with heart cut-out, the cloth and hide sack beaded with multicolored floral devices on a clear background, cradle ht. 14, wd. 8 1/2 in. $800-1,200
56
182
182. Great Lakes Loom-beaded Bandolier Bag, Ojibwa, c. last quarter 19th century, backed with dark brown and red trade cloth, with multicolored geometric devices on a white background, loomed tabs with wool tassels from the bottom, (bead loss), lg. 38 in. $1,500-2,000
183
183. Great Lakes Loom Beaded Bandolier Bag, c. last quarter 19th century, dark blue cloth with red edge binding and beaded with a multicolored diagonal checked pattern, the tabs with blue “padre” beads and wool tassels, cloth covered mounting, lg. 39 in. $3,000-5,000
184. Great Lakes Beaded Cloth and Hide Moccasins, Ojibwa, soft sole forms with multicolored floral devices on the cloth vamps and cuffs, (wear), lg. 9 1/2 in. $200-300
57
185. Rare Great Lakes Beaded and Quilled Hide Pouch, c. early 19th century, black dyed buckskin with remnant cloth lining, edged with early white and blue “pony” beads, decorated on one side with multicolored quill work, with delicate frame lines and central underwater panther image, (quill loss, minor damage), 6 x 5 in. Literature: Art of the American Frontier, by David W. Penney, 1992, pg. 68. $10,000-15,000
185
186. Early Great Lakes Stone and Wood Pipe, c. first half 19th century, the spiral ash (?) stem with incised geometric design and grooved at the edge, the catlinite bowl in the form of a human head with lead (?) inlaid eyes and wearing a turban with a small animal head at the front, with flange at bottom and brass chain connecting the bowl and stem, (minor damage at mouthpiece, stem and bowl appear to be glued together), rich patina of use, collected in Wisconsin, lg. 19 in. $10,000-15,000
186
190
191
187. Lot of Books on American Indian Basketry, includes Pomo Indian Basketry, by S.A. Barrett, 1908, at least twenty items, various conditions. $200-300
191. Prehistoric Stone Point, an “early man” made blade with old tag that reads “Indian Spear head Plymouth-Emerson,” lg. 5 1/8 in. $400-600
188. Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution, 1902, U.S. National Museum, having to do with American Indian basketry, some color plates. $200-250
192. Pair of Eastern Sub-Arctic Child’s Snowshoes, Bear Paw style, with elaborate rawhide webbing, red painted geometric designs and colored wool tufts along the wood frame, lg. 16 in. $250-350
189. Three Prehistoric Stone Items, two single-grooved axe heads and a mallet-shaped pounder, pounder lg. 6 3/4 in. $300-400
193. Northeast Polychrome Assumption Sash, c. 19th century, woven in two pieces with multicolored zigzag devices, braided ends, (wool loss), lg. 86 in. $300-400
190. Large Southeast Carved Stone Pipe Bowl, Cherokee (?), c. last quarter 19th century, the black form with forward projecting square bowl, the shaft with two squatting bears facing each other, old tag reads “Yancey Co. N. Car,” (old break), lg. 10 in. $400-600
194. Two Northeast Carved Rootwood Clubs, Penobscot, c. early 20th century, both with chip-carved handles, one with a crude face at the root end, lg. to 24 in. Provenance: A New England library museum. $400-600
60
148 149
150
42
151
152
150. Central Plains Beaded Hide Man’s Vest, Lakota, c. late 19th century, beaded on the front and back with multicolored geometric designs on a white background, (minor bead loss), lg. 20 in. $1,500-2,000
151. Pair of Ute Beaded Hide Man’s Leggings, c. last quarter 19th century, with long fringe from the sides, fringed tabs at the bottom, the beaded strips and ankle strip with bold dark blue and medium green geometric designs on a white ground, yellow pigment, includes custom mounts, lg. 38 in. $6,000-8,000
152. Pair of Central Plains Beaded Hide Possible Bags, Lakota, c. last quarter 19th century, the rectangular forms beaded on the front and sides with multicolored geometric devices on a dark blue background, tin cone and red horsehair drops from the sides, one bag with partially quill-wrapped ties, (some professional restoration to back panels), lg. 21 in. $8,000-10,000
153
153. Central Plains Beaded Buffalo Hide Possible Bag, Cheyenne, c. last quarter 19th century, the rectangular form beaded on the front, sides, and flap with multicolored geometric devices on a barred background, tin cones with red dyed horsehair from the sides and flap, lg. 22, ht. 15 1/2 in. $3,000-5,000
154. Northern Plains Beaded Commercial Leather Panel Belt, Crow, c. last quarter 19th century, the beaded panels with classic Crow designs, separated by brass tack decorated open panels, roller buckle, lg. 44 1/2 in. $400-600
155. Northern Plains Beaded Commercial Leather Panel Belt, c. 1900, multicolored geometric devices using small faceted beads and brass tack decoration, (bead loss), lg. 34 1/2 in. Provenance: Edward Averill. $250-350
43
156
158
156. Rare Ute Beaded Tobacco Flask and Necklace, c. third quarter 19th century, the rawhide flask with hide tab, beaded on one side with geometric design using white, “pony trader” blue, black, and pink seed beads, the carved wood stopper is attached to two strands of early mandrel wound beads, lg. 18 in. $3,000-4,000
44
157. Southwest Beaded Hide Child’s Moccasins, Apache, c. late 19th century, the hard sole forms with traces of yellow pigment and red pigment detail, with edge-beaded bifurcated tongues and partially beaded with symbolic designs using multicolored seed beads, with tin cone danglers from the side of vamps and tongues, fringe at the heels, lg. 5 1/2 in. $3,000-5,000
157
159
160
158. Southwest Rawhide and Cloth Double Saddle Bags, Apache, c. second half 19th century, the geometric cut-out designs backed with red (faded) and blue trade cloth, with cut-out tabs and fringe from the bottom, (some loss), folded lg. 46, wd. 18 in. $6,000-8,000 159. Two German Silver Plains Indian Armbands, Lakota, c. late 19th century, both commercially made, with roll-stamp decoration, one engraved “Joseph Wounded Horse,” the other “Blake Whitebear,” dia. to 3 1/4, wd. 2 in. $400-600
160. Central Plains Beaded Hide Umbilical Fetish, c. last quarter 19th century, in the form of a lizard (?), beaded on one side with a multicolored geometric pattern, hide legs and tail, lg. 2 3/8 in. Provenance: Collected by Lieut. John Guilfoyle, who worked with Indian scouts in the Southwest after graduating from West Point in 1877. He was in the 7th and then the 9th Cavalry, and fought in the battle of Drexel Mission at White Clay Creek, South Dakota (the day after Wounded Knee), for which he received the Silver Star. $400-600
45
161
162
161. Northern Plains Painted Parfleche Envelope, Blackfoot, c. last quarter 19th century, the rectangular buffalo hide form with red, green, yellow, and blue geometric pattern on the front, lg. 23, wd. 14 in. $2,000-3,000 162. Northern Plains or Plateau Parfleche Bonnet Case, Flathead (?), c. early 20th century, the rawhide form with polychrome geometric devices on sides and bottom, with red trade cloth and fringe at the seam, lg. 15 in. Provenance: Edward Averill. $800-1,200 163. Northern Plains Polychrome Parfleche Envelope, Crow, c. 1900, the flaps with green, blue, yellow, and red geometric devices, lg. 28 in. $1,000-1,500
46
163
164. Northern Plains Painted Parfleche Bonnet Case, Crow, c. second half 19th century, the tapered cylindrical buffalo hide form with long buffalo hide fringe and carrying strap, the lid and one side painted with classic Crow designs in green, blue, red, and yellow, patina of use, cylinder lg. 21, fringe lg. to 44 in. $8,000-12,000
165. Central Plains Beaded Hide and Cloth Cradle, Lakota, c. last quarter 19th century, the hide top half and flap beaded with multicolored geometric designs on a light blue background, and lined with calico, with cream-colored flannel bottom, overall lg. 39 in. Provenance: From a New England library museum. $3,000-5,000
165
164
47
166. Plains Beaded, Quilled, and Painted Hide War Shirt, c. third quarter 19th century, made from two “big-horn” sheep hides with tail and dew claws left on, decorated with multicolored quilled strips with pony trader blue seed bead frame lines, red trade cloth bibs, red trade cloth wrapped ermine tail drops, quill-wrapped hair drops, and partially painted with blue pigment, (quill loss), lg. 45 in. Provenance: Collected in the 1870s in Minnesota by Robert C. Towsley while on a railroad survey, then descended in the family. Literature: For a similar shirt see Quillwork by Native Peoples in Canada, Royal Ontario Museum, 1977, pg. 11. $150,000-200,000
167. Central Plains Beaded Cloth and Hide Male Doll, c. last quarter 19th century, with muslin body, the shirt, leggings, and moccasins with multicolored geometric beadwork, fringe trim, small beaded knife sheath, red face paint, remnant red trade cloth breechclout, and beaded necklaces, ht. 14 in. $1,500-2,000 168. Plains Beaded Buffalo Hide Pad Saddle, c. third quarter 19th century, the rectangular form with fringe and tabs on the sides and multicolored stripes across the seat, the end panels with early multicolored patterns and detailed with brass shoe buttons, blue faceted beads and tin cone and horsehair danglers, remnant blue cloth cinch straps, patina of use, (bead loss), lg. 18 1/2 in. Provenance: The Niagara Falls Museum, includes old photo of the saddle in situ. $6,000-8,000 169. Rare Central Plains Beaded Hide Horse Neck Cover, Lakota, c. late 19th century, the shaped form beaded with multicolored seed beads on both sides, the strip at the top with projecting horn-like devices, with two sets of crossed American flags, three Morning Stars, and other geometric devices, all on a dark blue background, (bead loss), extended 48 x 48 in. Literature: American Indian Horse Masks by Mike Cowdrey and Ned and Jody Martin, Hawkhill Press 2006. $6,000-8,000
167
170. Plains Pictograph Drawing, c. last quarter 19th century, titled Kills 3 Crows, colored pencil drawing depicting a warrior on foot counting coup on a wounded warrior, and a man and woman shot with arrows, unframed, 13 1/2 x 8 1/4 in. $800-1,200
168
171. Northern Plains Beaded Buckskin Shirt, Blackfeet, c. late 19th century, collected by Walter McClintock, “from the Mad Dog Society,” with ochre pigment on the upper two-thirds, opened at the sides with hide ties, collar and cuffs trimmed with otter skin (?), the beaded strips and bibs with classic Blackfeet designs on a lavender background, profusely decorated with cloth-wrapped ermine strips, a single blue “padre” bead at the top of each strip, lg. 34 in. Provenance: Walter McClintock, collected in the early 20th century and pictured in his book The Old North Trail, MacMillan and Co., 1910, pg. 458. A copy of the book is included along with a copy of a McClintock photograph of the shirt from the Yale collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Note: “The last quarter of the 19th century saw a florescence of beautifully beadworked costumes among the Blackfoot Indians. This ceremonial shirt is an outstanding example of this period. Apparently it was acquired in the 1890s by Walter McClintock; it is illustrated on pg. 458 in his book The Old North Trail, (London, 1910). Its caption “shirt of Mad Dog Society” indicates that it was acquired from a member of this society, though it is not part of this society’s regalia. The pristine condition of this shirt suggests that it was not made long before 1890. The profuse decoration with ermine fringes was formerly restricted to sacred “Weaseltail Shirts,” but the absence of painted marks indicates that this shirt was intended for festive occasions in general. Ermine fringes impart the spiritual power of the fast and ferocious weasel; as such it was an appropriate symbol for the cultural values of Blackfoot warriors. The use of red and black at the ends of the fringes is unusual, and may have been inspired by the owner’s dreams. Unique is also the fur trim around the neck opening.
169
The artistic quality and mint condition of this shirt makes it a desirable piece for any collection.” [Dr. T.J. Brasser] $60,000-80,000
170
50
171
173
174
172. Northern Plains Hide Rifle Scabbard, c. last quarter 19th century, with fringe off the opening and long fringe off the barrel, remnant bead and trade cloth strip on barrel, (bead and cloth loss), lg. 50 in.
173. Western Wood and Metal Pipe Tomahawk, c. last quarter 19th century, the metal head with barrel-shaped pipe bowl, the ash handle decorated with brass tacks and file branding, appears to have its original hide gasket, lg. 20 3/4 in. $2,500-3,500
Provenance: Edward Averill. $400-600 174. Northern Plains or Plateau Wood and Metal Tomahawk, with brass head and ash handle, pierced for smoking, lg. 14 3/4 in. Provenance: Edward Averill. $600-800 175
175. Northern Plains Tomahawk and Beaded Hide Drop, Crow, c. last quarter 19th century, with ash handle pierced for smoking, a variant spontoon-style brass head, the handle wrapped with otter (?) skin at the top and with hide-wrapped lower handle and beaded fringed drop (probably a later attachment), beaded in the Crow tradition with multicolored floral devices on a light blue background, tomahawk lg. 18 1/2, blade lg. 9 3/4 in. Provenance: Collected on the Crow reservation from Elizabeth Smart Enemy. Purported to be the tomahawk of “Bull Don’t Fall Down” (1854-1936) who was with the Crow contingent of scouts with General George Crook at the Battle of the Rosebud. “Bull Don’t Fall Down” laid claim to stripping off the headdress of Jack Red Cloud during the battle. $4,000-6,000 176. Plains Skull Cracker, c. late 19th century, the rawhide-covered wood handle with remnant dark blue and white bead wrapping, the elliptical stone head with lead inlay, lg. 31 in. $300-400
52
177
178
177. Southern Plains Beaded Hide Woman’s Dress, Kiowa, c. 1900, with fringe at the sleeves and sides, partially beaded at the yoke with classic Kiowa designs and colors, with edge beading and beaded fringe, yellow and green pigments, (some restoration), lg. 50 in. $6,000-8,000
178. Plateau Beaded Hide Woman’s Dress, Nez Perce, c. first quarter 20th century, with fringed edging and beaded on the yoke with bold multicolored geometric devices, with simulated deer tail below the neck, and fringe with large trade beads hanging below the yoke, lg. 52 in. $5,000-7,000
53
179
179. Northern Plains Man’s Beaded Hide Shirt and Leggings, Blackfoot, c. first quarter 20th century, both with fringe and perforated tabs off the bottom and sides, the beaded strips and shirt bib with multicolored geometric patterns profusely decorated with ermine tails, bugle beads, wool wrappings, etc., (insect damage), shirt lg. 31, leggings lg. 29 in. Provenance: Edward Averill. $8,000-12,000
54
180
180. Northern Plains Beaded Cloth and Hide Woman’s Dress, Blackfoot, c. 1870, the rectangular buffalo hide yoke with short fringed sleeves and beaded with bands of stepped geometric designs in greasy yellow, black, and pumpkin-colored seed beads alternating with bands of white, the early red trade cloth bottom fringed at the sides and bottom and beaded along the bottom using black and white beads, (bead loss), lg. 50, wd. 32 in. Provenance: A New England library museum. Note: This woman’s dress is an excellent example of fashion change among the Blackfoot Indians during the last decades of the 19th century. As such it presents evidence of the innovative creativity of the Native women in a period of tremendous change in their life. The world of the nomadic hunters was fading away. The fur trader’s cloth, once a rare luxury, now became a necessity due to the lack of elk skins. In order to prevent raveling, cloth had to be cut on the square, initiating the development of a new dress pattern, the square-cut dress. Yet, this new fashion was not a complete break from the past. Not only is the general style of the square-cut dress reminiscent of the former skin dress, but the skin fringes added along the sides and bottom of the cloth dress are also reminders of the past. Most obvious in this respect are the horizontal lanes of lazy-stitch beadwork decorating the top, creating an evenly leveled variant of the meandering lanes on the old skin dresses. Gussets were sewn into the sides to make the skirt fuller. The square-cut dress style became popular among the Blackfoot in the early reservation period of the 1880s, but certain details of this particular example suggest that it was made perhaps a decade earlier. Buffalo skin, extremely rare by the 1880s, was used for the bead-worked top part, and for the fringes along the sides and bottom of this dress. The bright red stroudcloth is the old cochineal-dyed material, definitely old-fashioned by the 1880s. Also old-fashioned is the stark combination of black and white in the beadwork along the bottom. Rather unique is the use of designs worked in the beadwork lanes at the top, though the designs themselves are classic Blackfoot. This decorative enrichment may explain the use of seed beads instead of the conventional and larger pony beads. Most probably this woman’s dress was made by the northern (Canadian) Blackfoot c. 1870. [Dr. T.J. Brasser]. $10,000-15,000
55
181
181. Two Great Lakes Items, c. 1900, a multicolored loom-woven sash, and a model cradle mounted on a painted green board with heart cut-out, the cloth and hide sack beaded with multicolored floral devices on a clear background, cradle ht. 14, wd. 8 1/2 in. $800-1,200
56
182
182. Great Lakes Loom-beaded Bandolier Bag, Ojibwa, c. last quarter 19th century, backed with dark brown and red trade cloth, with multicolored geometric devices on a white background, loomed tabs with wool tassels from the bottom, (bead loss), lg. 38 in. $1,500-2,000
183
183. Great Lakes Loom Beaded Bandolier Bag, c. last quarter 19th century, dark blue cloth with red edge binding and beaded with a multicolored diagonal checked pattern, the tabs with blue “padre” beads and wool tassels, cloth covered mounting, lg. 39 in. $3,000-5,000
184. Great Lakes Beaded Cloth and Hide Moccasins, Ojibwa, soft sole forms with multicolored floral devices on the cloth vamps and cuffs, (wear), lg. 9 1/2 in. $200-300
57
185. Rare Great Lakes Beaded and Quilled Hide Pouch, c. early 19th century, black dyed buckskin with remnant cloth lining, edged with early white and blue “pony” beads, decorated on one side with multicolored quill work, with delicate frame lines and central underwater panther image, (quill loss, minor damage), 6 x 5 in. Literature: Art of the American Frontier, by David W. Penney, 1992, pg. 68. $10,000-15,000
185
186. Early Great Lakes Stone and Wood Pipe, c. first half 19th century, the spiral ash (?) stem with incised geometric design and grooved at the edge, the catlinite bowl in the form of a human head with lead (?) inlaid eyes and wearing a turban with a small animal head at the front, with flange at bottom and brass chain connecting the bowl and stem, (minor damage at mouthpiece, stem and bowl appear to be glued together), rich patina of use, collected in Wisconsin, lg. 19 in. $10,000-15,000
186
190
191
187. Lot of Books on American Indian Basketry, includes Pomo Indian Basketry, by S.A. Barrett, 1908, at least twenty items, various conditions. $200-300
191. Prehistoric Stone Point, an “early man” made blade with old tag that reads “Indian Spear head Plymouth-Emerson,” lg. 5 1/8 in. $400-600
188. Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution, 1902, U.S. National Museum, having to do with American Indian basketry, some color plates. $200-250
192. Pair of Eastern Sub-Arctic Child’s Snowshoes, Bear Paw style, with elaborate rawhide webbing, red painted geometric designs and colored wool tufts along the wood frame, lg. 16 in. $250-350
189. Three Prehistoric Stone Items, two single-grooved axe heads and a mallet-shaped pounder, pounder lg. 6 3/4 in. $300-400
193. Northeast Polychrome Assumption Sash, c. 19th century, woven in two pieces with multicolored zigzag devices, braided ends, (wool loss), lg. 86 in. $300-400
190. Large Southeast Carved Stone Pipe Bowl, Cherokee (?), c. last quarter 19th century, the black form with forward projecting square bowl, the shaft with two squatting bears facing each other, old tag reads “Yancey Co. N. Car,” (old break), lg. 10 in. $400-600
194. Two Northeast Carved Rootwood Clubs, Penobscot, c. early 20th century, both with chip-carved handles, one with a crude face at the root end, lg. to 24 in. Provenance: A New England library museum. $400-600
60
