San Francisco Tribal and Textile Arts Exhibition, Part 1: 100 - 144

 

 

 

100. Two Fossil Shell Rings, Choiseul Islands, Solomon Islands

Traditional Currency.

Ex. Private German collection.

3 in. x 3 in. / 7.62 cm. x 7.62 cm.

2.5 in. x 2 in. / 6.35 cm. x 5.08 cm.

$375

 

 

101. Papuan Gulf Warrior’s Armband

Conus shell worked to fit around the upper arm. South Coast of New Guinea. Circa pre-20th Century.

Ex. Private collection Australia.

3 in. x 3 in. / 7.62 cm. x 7.62 cm.

$425

 

 

102. Papua Geelvinkbay Shell Bracelet

Conus shell bracelet used as bride’s money. Circa pre-1900 Century.

Ex. Dutch Private Collection.

6 in. x 4 in. / 15.24 cm. x 10.16 cm. 

$160

 

 

103. Navajo Silver and Turquoise Bracelet

A multiple stone bracelet with native turquoise and ingot silver. The work of a master artist. Circa 1920-30’s.

Ex. Marcy Burns, NYC.

3 in. x 2 in. x 1 in. / 7.62 cm. x 5.08 cm. x 2.54 cm.

$2,500

 

 

104. Pair of Akan Lattice Works Bracelets

Bronze with high copper content. Intricate lattice work. Excavated pieces. Green verdigris from age. Ghana. Circa pre-19th Century.

Ex. Santa Fe Private Collection.

2 in. x 4.5 in. / 11 cm. / 5 cm. Combined Weight: 1 lbs. 1.6 oz. / 498g.

$800 for the pair

 

 

105. Heavy African Bronze Anklet

A Bronze anklet of high native copper content. Worn as a prestige item. Traded as currency. Fang Gabon, or Congo. Circa 19th Century or before.

Ex. Private Santa Fe Collection.

5 in. x 4.5 in. / 12.7 x 11.43 cm. 

$850

 

 

106. African Yoruba Torque

Nigeria, West Africa. A heavy bronze master stroke of metal work, showing a series of ridges, culminating in two disc like protrusions, with nipple terminals at each end. Circa pre-20th Century.

Ex. Private Paris Collection.

7 in. x 6.5 in. / 17.78 cm. x 16.51 cm. 

$ 1,400

 

 

107. Achaemenid Anatolia Glass Stamp 5th Century BC

A transparent glass stamp from Western Anatolia. A winged animal is represented upright facing left. Achaemenid Empire late 6th-5th century BC.

Exhibited 1988, The New Jersey Museum of Archaeology. "Miniscule Monuments of Ancient Art". From the Virginia E. Bailey Collection. Illustrated in museum catalogue as seal no.145; Paul Anavian, NYC.

Height: 1.18 in. / 30 mm.   Face: 0.63 in. x 0.69 in. /16 mm. x 17 mm.

$695

 

 

108. Neo-Babylonian Stone Multi-Colored Cylinder

Marble cylinder of black, pink and white depicting four standing figures. 2nd millennium BC

Ex. Olga and Vincent Diniacopoulous Collection, assembled 1910-1954. http://www.concordia.ca/arts/diniacopoulos.html; Sothebys.com, lot #7NHB, July 18, 2001.

Height: 1.18 in. / 30 mm.   Face: 0.63 in. x 0.69 in. /16 mm. x 17 mm.

$1,800

 

 

109. Crow Indian Parfleche Case

Crow parfleche case with bold crosses.  Parfleches were essential carrying cases for a people constantly on the move. Circa 1890

Ex. Jay Gates, Washington, DC; John Molloy, NYC

26 in. x 12 in. / 66.04 cm. x 30.48 cm.

$5,000

 

 

 

110. Lakota Indian Parfleche Meat Case 

A large case with the fringes recall those on pipe bags and other important Plains Indian objects. Circa 1890-1900.

Ex. John Molloy, NYC.

22.5in. x 9.5in. / 57.15cm. x 24.13cm.

$4,250

 

 

111. Egyptian Polychrome Pectoral Collar Sections

Painted wood from pectoral collar. Lotus and necklace designs. Circa 1070-712 BC.

Ex. Howard Nowes, NYC; Sothebys.com, lot 3K7K2, February 3, 2002.

Section 1: 11 in. x 3.5 in. / 28 cm. x 9 cm. 

Section 2: 12 in. x 3.5 in. / 30.5 cm  x 9 cm.

$1,200

 

 

112. Large S. California Indian Steatite Cooking Bowl

Carved from a block of steatite stone quarried on Catalina Island & traded to Coastal Chumash Ventura-Santa Barbara areas. Carving a bowl from a block like this would have been an arduous and difficult task. Circa 1800 or before. 

Ex. Old California Private Collection.

12 in. x 12 in. / 30.48 cm. x 30.48 cm. // 31 lbs. / 14.06kg. 

Price On Request

 

 

113. Blackfoot Indian, Cane and Cloth Backrest

A rare example with native cane and trade cloth. Circa 1880.

Ex. Morningstar Gallery, Santa Fe, NM; Marcy Burns, NYC.

60 in. x 37 in. / 152.4 cm. x 93.98 cm.

$2,300

 

 

114. Nez Perce, Cornhusk Bag

Columbia River Plateau. This refined piece follows a long weaving tradition in the Columbia Plateau area, noted by Lewis and Clark at the time of their 1805 expedition. The present example early 20th century. Wool embroidery on woven cornhusk bag.

Ex: John Molloy, NYC.  

22.5in. 17.5in. / 57.15cm. x 44.45cm.

$3,800

 

 

115. Navajo Twill Saddle Blanket

Twill weaving, a difficult craft, is not common in large utilitarian objects. Its use here reflects the importance and prominence of the horse in Navajo Culture. Circa 1920-1930.

Ex. Marcy Burns, NYC.

30 in. x 29 in. / 76.2 cm. x 73.66 cm.

$1,300

 

 

116. Senufo Janus Head Rest

Bunjala Region, Ivory Coast. Catalogue notes: "This particular style of animal figure is found only in a very special area that is to say from Bunjali to Kuto in the Bague River Valley. This extremely rare janus figure is ceremonially associated with horses and power amongst the Do subtribe of the Senufo”.

Ex: Paul William Knaupp Collection, Ex. Important Tribal Art, Sotheby's New York, Sale no. 6920, lot 65, 11/21/96.   

42 in. x 9 in. x 10 in. / 107 cm. x 22.5 cm. x 25.5 cm.

$3,500

 

 

117. Monumental Chopper, Grand Pressigny, France

Found 10 meters below the surface during dredging of a flooded gravel pit. Likely the largest prehistoric chopper found in Europe. 33 cm/13 in. 9.65 kg/ 21 lb. 4 oz.

Ex Duncan Caldwell, Paris.

13 in. / 33 cm.  //  21 lbs. 4 oz. / 9.65 kg. 

SOLD

 

 

118. Exceptional Bembe Janus Mask, DR Congo

A mask that would have marked the initiation of boys into manhood. Feathers and quills, now lost, once filled the piercings at the top of the mask.

Ex. Henri Kamer, Paris and New York Bonham's African and Oceanic Art, sale no. 22484, lot no. 8.

19 in. x 13 in. / 48.26 cm. x 33.02 cm.

Price On Request

 

 

 

119. Chin, Western Burma Memorial Post, Man on Horse

A Chin, Burma horseman, likely a soldier, mounted on a horse.

Wood eroded from long exposure. Chin State, Western Burma.

The Chin horses, though smaller than their Chinese counterparts, were highly valued for their nimbleness and resilience at the warring frontiers. Fine articulation of the horse, rider, and the decorative motifs on the lower post. Circa late19th Century.

Ex. Los Angeles Private Collection.

46.5in. x  7.5in. x 5.5in. /  118.11cm. x 19.05cm. x 13.97cm.

$6,000

 

 

120. Fine Moba Figure, Togo

Mobas “Tchitcheri” protective figures stood in Togo homes and village entrances and could only be birthed by individuals whose fathers were diviners, the carving considered a highly delicate operation requiring special prayers and precautions for these ritually charged objects. An unusually old and large example, showing years of exposure. Circa late 19th Century.

Ex. German Private Collection.

42 in. x 9.5 in. / 114 cm. x 24 cm. // 32 lbs. 2 oz. / 15.2 kg.

$16,000

 

 

121. Naga NE India Headhunter Granary Door

A large granary door from Nagaland, NE India encompassing classic iconography of headhunter culture. Two carved taken heads, large, spreading mithun horns, 34 hornbills, and two dao holder representations at the bottom. Tangkul Region. Circa late 19th - early 20th Century.

Ex-Mark A. Johnson Tribal Art, Marina del Rey, CA.

78.5 in. x 34 in. x 6 in. / 199 cm. x 86 cm. x 15 cm. // 65 lbs. / 29.5 kg.

$4,800

 

 

122. Large Senufo Door - Chief’s Staff

Heavy hardwood Senufo door, Ivory Coast, W.Africa, with four raised arrows and a raised chief’s staff.

Ex-Important Tribal Art, Sotheby's, New York, 5/08/96. Sale No. 6842, Lot no. 215.

49 in. x 19 in. / 124.46 cm. x 48.26 cm. 

$2,500

 

 

123. Three Copper Snake Currencies of Spiral Form,Congo

Native hand forged copper from Lake Leopold II Region, Mongo/Ngongo/ Lyembe.  These would have been used as marriage dowry and for other important occasions. Circa late 19th - early 20th Century.

Ex. Joel Cooner. Dallas,Texas.

42in. / 106.68cm. 

$4,800.

 

 

 

124. Dan, Liberia Heddle Pulley

Heddle pulleys were used to run thread from the top to bottom of looms, and to provide distraction and inspiration to the weaver. Circa early 20th Century.

Ex. Michael Rhodes, NYC;  Dimondstein Tribal Arts; ”Poulies/Pulleys" Exhibit, Parcours des Mondes, Paris, September 2015, and featured on the cover of the exhibition catalogue.

7in. / 17.8cm.

$4,000

 

 

125. Bobo, Burkina Faso Heddle Pulley

Scarification on face, native repairs. Heddle pulleys were used to run thread from the top to bottom of looms, and to provide distraction and inspiration to the weaver.  Circa early 20th Century.

Ex. Renaud Vanuxem, Paris; Dimondstein Tribal Arts. Exhibited and illustrated in catalogue "Poulies/Pulleys" Exhibit, Parcours des Mondes, Paris, September 2015. Also illustrated in the book "Poulies/Pulleys" Galerie Renaud Vanuxem, Paris.

4.25in. / 10.7cm. 

$3,500

 

 

126. Degha/Gurunsi Burkina Faso Heddle Pulley

Bold, powerful female. Heddle pulleys were used to run thread from the top to bottom of looms, and to provide distraction and inspiration to the weaver.  Circa early 20th Century.

Ex. Gregory Ghent, Santa Fe.; “Poulies/Pulleys" Exhibit, Parcours des Mondes, Paris 2015.

9.5in. / 24.1 cm.

$3,000

 

  

127. Stone God Image, Hawaii

A highly abstracted God image of volcanic stone.

“It was the prayers and offerings which gave an Hawaiian object mana and converted in into a God, no matter what the form.” Sir Peter Buck (catalogue notes).

Ex. J.E. Reinecke, collected during an archaeological survey of Kona; Bonham’s African and Oceanic Art, sale no. 22484, lot no.67. Archaeological survey provided with purchase. 

10 in. x 6 in. x 5 in. / 25.4 cm. x 15.24 cm. x 12.70 cm. 

Price on Request.

 

 

128. Stone Effigy Figure, Rapa Iti, Austral Islands

Rapa, sometimes called Rapa Iti Little Rapa, to distinguish it from "Rapa Nui" (Big Rapa) aka Easter Island), is the largest of the remote Bass Island chain settled by Polynesians in the 13th Century.  This stone Goddess,is reminiscent in its bold treatment, of Easter Island sculpture. Collected by Joseph Louis Marcillac (1870-1943) in 1917 near the village of Area.

Ex. Bonham's African and Oceanic Art, sale no. 22484, lot no. 91.

Price On Request

 

 

129. Grand Pressigny France Lower Paleolithic Handaxe, Two “Eyes”

Well positioned concave indentations in the stone give the appearance of two eyes. The creator of this handaxe has left these prominent features intact, working around them. Shiny glossy surface patina from exposure. Circa: 300,000-400,000 BC.

Ex. Private Collection, France.

4 in. x 3 in. / 10.16 cm. x 7.62 cm. 

SOLD

 

  

130. Micoquian Ficron Hand Axe, Mauritania, Lower Paleolithic

Micoquian tradition in Africa preceded that of Europe by several hundred thousand years. Illustrated Old World Prehistoric Artifacts "Overstreet's Indian Arrowheads, Identification and Price Guide", Robert Overstreet, New York, 2001, 7th edition, page 1081, illustration no. 13. Circa 750,000 BC.

9 in. x 4 in. / 22.86 cm. x 10.16 cm. 

Ex. Duncan Caldwell, Paris.

$4,200

 

 

131. English Zoomorphic Lower Paleolithic Handaxe 

Archaic pointed handaxe with deep natural cavity giving a distinct zoomorphic look. The hominid maker has worked around this cavity feature, Circa 350,000- 400,000 BC.

Ex. Private English Collection.

3.5 in. x 5 in. / 8.89 cm. x 12.7 cm. 

$4,500

 

 

132. Blackfoot Pipe and Stem

A small blackfoot pipe with carved black stone, and stem with wound copper. Circa1880-1900.

Ex. John Molloy, NYC.

9 in. x 2 in. / 22.86 cm. x 5.08 cm.  

$875

 

 

133. S. California Indian Bowl/ Arrow Straightener

This Chumash bowl found early 1900’s. On recto, the steatite bowl has an arrow straightener on its bottom. Only known example of a bowl with this dual use.

Ex. Marin Collection; Anthropos Fine Arts, Laguna Beach, CA.

$3,500

 

 

134. "Libyan Glass" Aterian point, Egypt

Stemmed point, of glass formed by meteoric impact with desert sand. Wind polish. Only known example of aterian point made of Libyan Glass. Circa 50,000 BC.

Ex. Duncan Caldwell, Paris. Illustrated Old World Prehistoric Artifacts, Overstreet's Indian Arrowheads, Identification and Price Guide", Robert Overstreet, New York, 2001, 7th edition, page 1085, no. 54; Duncan Caldwell, Paris.

2.25 in. x 1.5 in. / 5.7 cm. x 3.9 cm.  Weight: 24 g.

$5,600

 

 

135. Inuit Aleutian Doll

Excavated piece with unusual headdress. Hole in base for suspension. Punuk or early Thule period. A piece from the sparsely populated and remote Aleutian chain. Circa 600 AD - 1300 AD.

Ex. Paul Goldstein, Seattle.

5 in. / 13 cm. 

$1,400

 

 

 

136. Opium Pipe Decoration, China

Diminutive monkey expertly carved in wood. Circa late 19th Century.

Ex. Galen Lowe, Seattle.

2 in. x 1 in. x 1 in. / 5.08 cm. x 2.54 cm. x 2.54 cm. 

$600

 

  

137. Lakota Indian Parfleche Dispatch Case

A Lakota parfleche dispatch case. Decorated both sides. Illustrated in essay “Sacred and Modern”, James D. Balestrieri, Premier Issue of Native American Art, February/March 2016. Collected circa 1900.

Ex. John Molloy, NYC.

10 in. x 14.5 in. / 25.40 cm. x 36.83 cm.

$3,200

 

 

138. Maria Martinez Bowl

An unusual Maria Martinez bowl, signed as Maria Poveka, the name by which she was known previously. Martinez (1887-1980) of the San Ildefonso Pueblo, N.M. originated the black on black finish, and remains the most famous ceramicist of the Southwest. This piece would have been created between 1956 and 1965. Excellent condition.

Ex. Marcy Burns, NYC.

4 in. x 5.5 in. / 10 cm  x 14 cm.

$2,700

 

 

139. 1991-1992 & 1995 PALIMPSEST

Single strand Persian wool, double strand Appleton wool, gold, silver and silk thread on 18 mesh canvas. Continental stitch in all four directions.

Dimensions: 17 in x 12.25 in. / 43.18 cm. x 31.12 cm. 

Approximately 67,473 stitches, 424 stitches per square inch.  (Read More)

 

 

140. 1975-76 I CHING

Double strand Persian wool, gold thread on 12 mesh canvas. Continental stitch in all four directions, plus bargello in the border.

Dimensions: 14 in. x 14.25 in. / 35.56 cm. x 36.83 cm.

Approximately 28,728 stitches.  (Read More)

 

 

 

141. 1996-2001 MUKHRA/TUKRA/CHAKRADAR IN TINTAL & RUPAKTAL

Single strand Persian wool; double strand Appleton wool; lace wool, partly Kashmir; silk yarn; rayon yarn; cotton and viscose yarn; cotton, silver and gold thread on 18 mesh canvas. Continental stitch in all four directions.

Dimensions: 18 in. x 26.5 in. / 45.72 cm. x 67.31 cm.

Approximately 154,548 stitches.  (Read More)

 

 

142. 1981-1991 & 1995 KALACHAKRA

Single strand Persian wool, gold thread on 18 mesh canvas. Continental stitch in all four directions.

Dimensions: 24.75 in. x 13.38 in. / 62.87 cm. x 33.99 cm.

Approximately 107,254 stitches.  (Read More)

 

 

143. 1996-2006 THE TEN THATS

Embroidery cotton, lace and Appleton wool, string cotton, gold and silver thread on gray 22 mesh canvas. Continental stitch in all four directions, plus embroidered accents.

Dimensions: 11 in. x 14.25 in. / 27.94 cm. x 36.20 cm. 

Approximately 77,000 stitches.  (Read More)

 

 

144. 1995-1996 TUKRA IN TINTAL, TABLA COVERS

Baya (left drum) cover:  Single strand Persian wool, double strand Appleton wool on 18 mesh canvas.

Dimensions: 11.13 in. x 11.13 in. / 28.27 cm. x 28.27 cm. 

Approximately 40,100 stitches. 

Tabla (or Daya, right drum) cover: Single strand Persian Wool, double strand Appleton wool, and rayon on 18 mesh canvas. Continental stitch in all four directions.

Dimensions: 6.36 in. x 6.36 in. / 16.15 cm. x 16.15 cm. 

Approximately 13,168 stitches.  (Read More)