SUPERB PROVENANCE
Important works with incredible histories hit the auction block at Cowan’s in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Important works with incredible histories hit the auction block at Cowan’s in Cincinnati, Ohio.
CINCINNATI, OH
A Blackfoot shirt given to a United States government photographer a century ago and a Northeastern ball club that dates back to 1666 are just two of the highlights of Cowan’s Auctions’ spring American Indian & Western Art sale in Cincinnati on April 6.
The sale will feature nearly 400 lots of authentic Native American and Western materials, which are prized by a growing number of collectors who are enamored with their historic significance and expert craftsmanship. “Over the past year, we have had an increase in both the number of bidders and buyers in our Native American art auctions,” says Danica M. Farnand, director of the American Indian department. “Although the prices for middlemarket material may not be as strong as they once had been, I believe that the market is coming back. There is a strong interest in both older material and contemporary Native art.”
One of the expected top lots is a Blackfoot Society shirt, estimated at $50,000 to $70,000, which once belonged to United States government photographer Walter Mcclintock (1870-1949). “[He] spent four years on the Blackfoot Reservation and over this time, was adopted by Chief Mad Wolf. Mcclintock recorded his experiences and ultimately published The
Old North Trail. Through a tale told by Brings-down-the-sun, Mcclintock records the origin story of the Society, and places the Society’s importance within the larger Blackfoot community. This shirt is published on Page 458 of The Old North Trail. The Brave Dog Society was composed of former chiefs and high-ranking warriors, who had a reputation for keeping order. This group helped enforce the rules and decisions made by the chiefs,” Farnand says, adding that the lot is in wonderful shape considering its age. “The condition of the shirt is very good. The
hide is supple and there have been no repairs.”
Another lot with a fascinating provenance is the Northeastern ball club. The club, estimated at $40,000 to $60,000, has descended from Plymouth Colony founders Governor William Bradford (1590-1657) and his son Major William Bradford (16241703). “The club has been carbon dated to 1666 which also places it in proximity of King Philip’s War (1675-1676), a bloody conflict between English Colonists and the Wampanoag and Narragansetts,” Farnand says. “This understated, utilitarian club, is an early piece of history which reminds us of the initial contacts and conflicts between the Native people and early colonists nearly 343 years ago.”
Other lots are an elongated slate long neck birdstone from Monroe County, Michigan, estimated at $8,000 to $10,000; a Northeastern quilled hide knife sheath, estimated at $6,000 to $8,000; and a gold turquoise ring, estimated at $3,000 to $4,000, from Hopi jeweler Charles Loloma.