American Indian & Ethnographic Art Up for Bid at Skinner Skinner, Inc. will host an auction of American Indian & Ethnographic Art in its Boston gallery on Saturday, September 24th at 10 a.m. The sale will feature more than 600 lots and is highlighted by the
collection of Paul and Joan Cluck such as lot 369, carved by Tony Hunt, estimated at $3,000 to $5,000; lot 370, attributed to Sam Williams, estimated at $5,000 to $7,000; lot 371, with various animal and avian totemic devices, estimated at $5,000 to $7,000; and lot 372, depicting a raven clan and valued at $10,000 to $15,000. Also from the region is a halibut hook, circa 1900, lot 382, estimated at $600 to $800; a fine sealskin drum, lot 384, estimated at $10,000 to $15,000; lot 385, a bentwood lidded box estimated at $15,000 to $20,000; a very nice child’s Chilkat blanket from the collection of Fred Boschan, lot 388, valued at $20,000 to $30,000; and an unusual European style carved chair, lot 389, valued at $8,000 to $12,000.
Southwest and Northeast American Indian Art
A large group of more than 35 Kachina dolls is to be offered from the Southwest, as well as a very good grouping of paintings highlighted by Sheldon Parson’s Pueblo scene, lot 431, estimated at $2,500 to $3,500, and lot 432, Fremont Ellis’ Spring in Santa Fe, estimated at $4,000 to $6,000. Also being offered are two works by Henry Balink, lot 437, Santiago, valued at $8,000 to $10,000, and lot 438, a portrait of Chief Yellow Bird, estimated at $20,000 to $30,000. Several Indian paintings from the 20th century will also be featured including two works by Tonita Pena entitled Quah Ah, lots 440 and 441, estimated at $1,200 to $1,800 and $800 to $1,200, respectively. Quite a few Western photographic works are highlighted by lot 449, an Edward S. Curtis orotone entitled The Vanishing Race, with carries an auction value of $6,000 to $8,000.
Other beautiful Northeast material outside of the Siebert collection includes a pair of Penobscot beaded cloth and hide moccasins, lot 345, estimated at $3,000 to $4,000; a pair of Metis Cree quilled moccasins, lot 344, estimated at $7,000 to $9,000; a pair of Iroquois child’s moccasins, lot 345, valued at $4,000 to $6,000; and one of the finest Babiche bags in existence, lot 348, estimated at $12,000 to $16,000 and coming to Skinner from the ex-collection of Ed Jalbert and Fred Boschan.
American Indian Pottery
Finally, the auction features several wonderful lots of pottery, including some pre-historic items. Featured is a nice jar attributed to Nampeyo, lot 569, estimated at $4,000 to $6,000 and a large Southwest storage jar, Zia, c. last quarter 19th century, lot 574, estimated at $10,000 to $15,000. Works by Maria Martinez are represented by lot 560, a large San Ildefonso polished black bowl, estimated at $3,000 to $5,000; lot 566, a San Ildefonso black-on-black jar, estimated at $3,000 to $4,000; and lot 567, a Southwest black-on-black vase, coming to Skinner from the Chester College of New England and estimated at $1,500 to $2,000. A small but nice collection of basketry rounds out the sale with highlights including lot 593,
a pomo coiled bowl, estimated at $3,000 to $4,000; lot 598, a California coiled bowl
