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American Indian & Ethnographic Art

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  • Plains Blue Trade Cloth and Dentalium Shell Woman's Dress
    Estimate
    $5,000 - $7,000
    Lot 147

    Plains Blue Trade Cloth and Dentalium Shell Woman's Dre...

    Est.
    $5,000 - $7,000
  • Rare and Important Plains Apache Woman's Dress and Moccasins
    Estimate
    $80,000 - $120,000
    Lot 148

    Rare and Important Plains Apache Woman's Dress and Mocc...

    Est.
    $80,000 - $120,000
  • Plains Skullcracker Club
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 149

    Plains Skullcracker Club

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • Plains Skullcracker Club
    Estimate
    $400 - $600
    Lot 150

    Plains Skullcracker Club

    Est.
    $400 - $600
  • Plains Three-bladed Wood Dance Club
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,000
    Lot 151

    Plains Three-bladed Wood Dance Club

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,000
  • Plains Tomahawk with Large Brass Head
    Estimate
    $4,000 - $6,000
    Lot 152

    Plains Tomahawk with Large Brass Head

    Est.
    $4,000 - $6,000
  • Plains Brass-headed Tomahawk with Beaded and Quilled Hide Drop
    Estimate
    $2,500 - $3,000
    Lot 153

    Plains Brass-headed Tomahawk with Beaded and Quilled Hi...

    Est.
    $2,500 - $3,000
  • Plains Pipe Tomahawk with Beaded Drop
    Estimate
    $6,000 - $8,000
    Lot 154

    Plains Pipe Tomahawk with Beaded Drop

    Est.
    $6,000 - $8,000
  • Brass Tomahawk with Engraved Blade
    Estimate
    $2,500 - $3,000
    Lot 155

    Brass Tomahawk with Engraved Blade

    Est.
    $2,500 - $3,000
  • Plains Pipe Tomahawk by J. Wilson
    Estimate
    $6,000 - $8,000
    Lot 156

    Plains Pipe Tomahawk by J. Wilson

    Est.
    $6,000 - $8,000
  • Plains Pipe Tomahawk
    Estimate
    $6,000 - $8,000
    Lot 157

    Plains Pipe Tomahawk

    Est.
    $6,000 - $8,000
  • Tomahawk from the War of 1812 Period
    Estimate
    $4,000 - $6,000
    Lot 158

    Tomahawk from the War of 1812 Period

    Est.
    $4,000 - $6,000
  • Great Lakes Tomahawk
    Estimate
    $5,000 - $7,000
    Lot 159

    Great Lakes Tomahawk

    Est.
    $5,000 - $7,000
  • Plains Spontoon-style Tomahawk
    Estimate
    $6,000 - $8,000
    Lot 160

    Plains Spontoon-style Tomahawk

    Est.
    $6,000 - $8,000
  • Great Lakes Spontoon Pipe Tomahawk
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $2,500
    Lot 161

    Great Lakes Spontoon Pipe Tomahawk

    Est.
    $2,000 - $2,500
  • Great Lakes Pewter Spontoon Pipe Tomahawk
    Estimate
    $4,000 - $6,000
    Lot 162

    Great Lakes Pewter Spontoon Pipe Tomahawk

    Est.
    $4,000 - $6,000
  • Rare Dakota Lance
    Estimate
    $4,000 - $6,000
    Lot 163

    Rare Dakota Lance

    Est.
    $4,000 - $6,000
  • Plains Lance
    Estimate
    $4,000 - $6,000
    Lot 164

    Plains Lance

    Est.
    $4,000 - $6,000
  • Sioux Quilled Hide Knife Sheath and Matching Belt Pouch
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $2,500
    Lot 165

    Sioux Quilled Hide Knife Sheath and Matching Belt Pouch...

    Est.
    $2,000 - $2,500
  • Assiniboine Beaded Hide Knife Sheath
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $2,500
    Lot 166

    Assiniboine Beaded Hide Knife Sheath

    Est.
    $2,000 - $2,500
  • Yankton Sioux Beaded Hide Knife Sheath
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,000
    Lot 167

    Yankton Sioux Beaded Hide Knife Sheath

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,000
  • Northern Plains Beaded Buffalo Hide Knife Sheath
    Estimate
    $3,000 - $4,000
    Lot 168

    Northern Plains Beaded Buffalo Hide Knife Sheath

    Est.
    $3,000 - $4,000
  • Large Blackfeet Beaded Buffalo Hide Knife Sheath
    Estimate
    $15,000 - $20,000
    Lot 169

    Large Blackfeet Beaded Buffalo Hide Knife Sheath

    Est.
    $15,000 - $20,000
  • Central Plains Beaded Buffalo Hide Knife Sheath
    Estimate
    $3,000 - $4,000
    Lot 170

    Central Plains Beaded Buffalo Hide Knife Sheath

    Est.
    $3,000 - $4,000
  • Large Blackfeet Beaded Buffalo Hide Knife Sheath
    Estimate
    $15,000 - $20,000
    Lot 171

    Large Blackfeet Beaded Buffalo Hide Knife Sheath

    Est.
    $15,000 - $20,000
  • Plains Beaded Buffalo Hide Knife Sheath
    Estimate
    $4,000 - $6,000
    Lot 172

    Plains Beaded Buffalo Hide Knife Sheath

    Est.
    $4,000 - $6,000
  • Great Lakes Loom-beaded Sash
    Estimate
    $300 - $400
    Lot 173

    Great Lakes Loom-beaded Sash

    Est.
    $300 - $400
  • Great Lakes Loom-beaded Sash
    Estimate
    $300 - $400
    Lot 174

    Great Lakes Loom-beaded Sash

    Est.
    $300 - $400
  • Great Lakes Loom-beaded Cloth Strip
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 175

    Great Lakes Loom-beaded Cloth Strip

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Great Lakes Loom-beaded Cloth Strip
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 176

    Great Lakes Loom-beaded Cloth Strip

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Great Lakes Loom-beaded Cloth Bandolier Bag
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $2,500
    Lot 177

    Great Lakes Loom-beaded Cloth Bandolier Bag

    Est.
    $2,000 - $2,500
  • Great Lakes Beaded Cloth Bandolier Bag
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $2,500
    Lot 178

    Great Lakes Beaded Cloth Bandolier Bag

    Est.
    $2,000 - $2,500
  • Framed Arrowheads and Various Trade Beads
    Estimate
    $200 - $250
    Lot 179

    Framed Arrowheads and Various Trade Beads

    Est.
    $200 - $250
  • Beaded Glengarry Hat
    Estimate
    $600 - $800
    Lot 180

    Beaded Glengarry Hat

    Est.
    $600 - $800
  • Huron Moose Hair Embroidered Birch Bark Cigar Case
    Estimate
    $600 - $800
    Lot 181

    Huron Moose Hair Embroidered Birch Bark Cigar Case

    Est.
    $600 - $800
  • Northeast Beaded Bag with Thunderbird Motif
    Estimate
    $1,200 - $1,600
    Lot 182

    Northeast Beaded Bag with Thunderbird Motif

    Est.
    $1,200 - $1,600
  • Rare Iroquois Beaded Cloth Saddle Blanket
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 183

    Rare Iroquois Beaded Cloth Saddle Blanket

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • Menominee Horn Powder Measure and Wood Cap Holder
    Estimate
    $400 - $600
    Lot 184

    Menominee Horn Powder Measure and Wood Cap Holder

    Est.
    $400 - $600
  • Abraham Lincoln Bronzed Copper Indian Peace Medal
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 185

    Abraham Lincoln Bronzed Copper Indian Peace Medal

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • Great Lakes Carved Stone Face Pipe
    Estimate
    $1,200 - $1,600
    Lot 186

    Great Lakes Carved Stone Face Pipe

    Est.
    $1,200 - $1,600
  • Micmac Carved Black Stone Pipe Bowl
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,000
    Lot 187

    Micmac Carved Black Stone Pipe Bowl

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,000
  • Micmac Carved Pipe Bowl and Original Wood Stem
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $2,500
    Lot 188

    Micmac Carved Pipe Bowl and Original Wood Stem

    Est.
    $2,000 - $2,500
  • Western Great Lakes or Eastern Plains Quilled Hide Knife Sheath
    Estimate
    $3,500 - $4,500
    Lot 189

    Western Great Lakes or Eastern Plains Quilled Hide Knif...

    Est.
    $3,500 - $4,500
  • Rare Great Lakes Quilled Hide Double Knife Sheath
    Estimate
    $15,000 - $20,000
    Lot 190

    Rare Great Lakes Quilled Hide Double Knife Sheath

    Est.
    $15,000 - $20,000
  • Rare and Important Eastern Ojibwa (Saulteau) War Chief's Turban-Headdress
    Estimate
    $12,000 - $16,000
    Lot 191

    Rare and Important Eastern Ojibwa (Saulteau) War Chief'...

    Est.
    $12,000 - $16,000
  • Eskimo Doll
    Estimate
    $500 - $700
    Lot 192

    Eskimo Doll

    Est.
    $500 - $700
  • Eskimo Carved Wood Pipe
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $2,500
    Lot 193

    Eskimo Carved Wood Pipe

    Est.
    $2,000 - $2,500
  • East Greenland Wood and Bone Trinket Box
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 194

    East Greenland Wood and Bone Trinket Box

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200

Auction Description

American Indian & Ethnographic Art by Bonhams Skinner

Exceptional Plains Indian clothing and objects stand out in the May American Indian & Ethnographic Art auction, highlighted by two masterpieces, a Blackfeet Man’s shirt and leggings, c. 1830 and a Plains Apache Woman’s Dress and Moccasins, c. 1850. The auction also features weavings, pottery and baskets, pre-Colombian art, and objects from the Northeast woodlands and Northwest coast of North America. Rare objects at a range of price points will catch the interest of both new and advanced collectors.

Preview Times
May 4, 12PM—5PM
May 5, 12PM—7PM
May 6, 8AM—9:30AM

 

Contact Us
508-970-3254
AmericanIndian@skinnerinc.com

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Bonhams Skinner
Boston, MA 02116
United States

bidsquare@bonhamsskinner.com

Phone:+1 6173505400

Buyer’s Premium

Start Premium (%)
$0 25.00

Bid Increments

Start Increments ($)
$0 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$30,000 $2,500
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
$300,000 $25,000
$500,000 $50,000
$1,000,000 $100,000

Shipping Info

Please visit http://www.skinnerinc.com/services/payment-and-shipping/ for information regarding the collection of items purchased at auction. 

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Terms & Conditions

1. Some of the lots in this sale are offered subject to a reserve. The reserve is a confidential minimum price agreed upon by the consignor and Skinner, Inc. below which the lot will not be sold. In most cases, the reserve will be set below the estimated range, but in no case will it exceed the estimates listed. A representative of Skinner, Inc. will execute such reserves by bidding for the consignor. In any event and whether or not a lot is subject to a reserve, the auctioneer may reject any bid or raise not commensurate with the value of such lot.

2. All property is sold “as is,” and neither the auctioneer nor any consignor makes any warranties or representation of any kind or nature with respect to the property, and in no event shall they be responsible for the correctness, nor deemed to have made any representation or warranty, of description, genuineness, authorship, attribution, provenance, period, culture, source, origin, or condition of the property and no statement made at the sale, or in the bill of sale, or invoice or elsewhere shall be deemed such a warranty of representation or an assumption of liability.

3. Except as provided in paragraph 1 above, the highest bidder as determined by the auctioneer shall be the purchaser. In the case of a disputed bid, the auctioneer shall have sole discretion in determining the purchaser and may also, at his or her election, withdraw the lot or reoffer the lot for sale. The auctioneer shall have sole discretion to refuse any bid, or refuse to acknowledge any bidder. Any bidder that plans on spending in excess of $100,000 should make arrangements with the accounting department at least five (5) days in advance of the sale, as a deposit may be required to participate.

4. All merchandise purchased must be paid for and removed from the premises the day of the auction. Skinner Inc. may impose, and the purchaser agrees to pay, a monthly interest charge of 1.5% of the purchase price of any lot or item lot not paid for within thirty-five (35) days of the date of sale. Skinner, Inc. shall have no liability for any damage or loss to property left on its premises for more than three (3) days from the date of sale. If any property has not been removed within three (3) days from the date of sale, at the option of Skinner, Inc. (a) Skinner Inc., may impose, and the purchaser agrees to pay, a monthly storage charge of 1.5% of the purchase price of any lot or portion of a lot not removed within the three days, and/or (b) Skinner Inc. may place the merchandise in a subsequent auction, without Reserve, to be sold to the highest bidder, and after deducting the standard commission and any additional charges that may apply, remit the proceeds to the purchaser.

5. Skinner accepts cash or check for payment. Personal checks will be acceptable only if credit has been established with Skinner, Inc. or if a bank authorization has been received guaranteeing a personal check. Skinner, Inc. reserves the right to hold merchandise purchased by personal check until the check has cleared the bank. The purchaser agrees to pay Skinner, Inc. a handling charge of $25.00 for any check dishonored by the drawee. Please contact Accounting for additional payment methods. Skinner does not accept payment by credit card for merchandise purchases.

6. If the purchaser breaches any of its obligations under these Conditions of Sale, including its obligation to pay in full the purchase price of all items for which it was the highest successful bidder, Skinner Inc. may exercise all of its rights and remedies under the law including, without limitation, (a) canceling the sale and applying any payments made by the purchaser to the damages caused by the purchaser’s breach, and/or (b) offering at public auction, without reserve, any lot or item for which the purchaser has breached any of its obligations, including its obligation to pay in full the purchase price, holding the purchaser liable for any deficiency plus all costs of sale.

7. In no event will the liability of Skinner, Inc. to any purchaser with respect to any item exceed the purchase price actually paid by such purchaser for such item.

8. Shipping is the responsibility of the purchaser. Upon request, our staff will provide the list of shippers who deliver to destinations within the United States and overseas. Some property that is sold at auction can be subject to laws governing export from the U.S., such as items that include material from some endangered species. Import restrictions from foreign countries are subject to these same governing laws. Granting of licensing for import or export of goods from local authorities is the sole responsibility of the buyer. Denial or delay of licensing will not constitute cancellation or delay in payment for the total purchase price of these lots.

9. All purchases are subject to the Massachusetts 6.25% sales tax unless the purchaser possesses a Massachusetts sales tax exemption number. Exemption numbers from other states are accepted in Massachusetts if presented with a business card or letterhead. Dealers, museums, and other qualifying parties can apply for a Massachusetts exemption number prior to the auction by contacting the Massachusetts Department of Corporations and Taxation at 100 Cambridge Street in Boston.

10. A premium equal to 23% of the final bid price up to and including $100,000, plus 20% of the final bid price from $100,001 up to and including $1,000,000, plus 12% of the final bid price from $1,000,001 and over will be applied to each lot sold, to be paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price.

11. Bidding on any item indicates your acceptance of these terms and all other terms printed within, posted, and announced at the time of sale whether bidding in person, through a representative, by phone, by Internet, or other absentee bid.

12. Skinner, Inc. and its consignors make no warranty or representation, express or implied, that the purchaser will acquire any copyright or reproduction rights to any lot sold. Skinner, Inc. expressly reserves the right to reproduce any image of the lots sold in this catalog. The copyright in all images, illustrations and written material produced by or for Skinner, Inc. relating to a lot, including the contents of this catalog, is, and shall remain at all times, the property of Skinner, Inc. and shall not be used by the purchaser, nor by anyone else, without our prior written consent.

13. These conditions of sale shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (excluding the laws applicable to conflicts or choice of law). The buyer/bidder agrees that any suit for the enforcement of this agreement may be brought, and any action against Skinner in connection with the transactions contemplated by this agreement shall be brought, in the courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any federal court sitting therein. The bidder/buyer consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts and waives objections that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such suit.

Revised January 8, 2014