425 Human Effigy Ladle Smoking Bear Effigy Pipe Western Great Lakes Woodlands (Cree), circa 1820 Skillfully hewn with a thin delineated bowl, this effigy ladle combines two Woodlands traditions in one; effigy ladle and pipe carving. The large openwork carved figure is crouching or climbing up the top-back of the handle and is smoking from a bear effigy pipe that bridges between the figure and the top of the handle. This is an unusual and compelling example.
The majority of Woodlands/Great Lakes effigy ladles feature a single representational element carved at the end of the handle. These figures are iconic forms that sit as majestic miniatures proclaiming a personal or clan relationship of the owner. These two ladles (see lot 312, Human and Bear Effigy Ladle) are unusual in that they represent more than one figure in the case of the human and the bear, or one figure interacting with an object, such as the man smoking a bear effigy pipe. In many cultural areas of Native America the bear is especially associated with healing and medicine. The bear and the human imply a narrative, a story that would have been understood by all who saw it. The use of tobacco and the smoking pipe are sacred ritual acts in Native American societies. So the representation of a man in the act of smoking was a familiar one and would have engaged the user and the viewer in another meaningful narrative. – Evan M. Maurer, Director Emeritus, The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, December, 2011, also referring to lot (#312) H. 8 1/4 in., L. 7 in., W. 3 1/2 in.
$5,000-10,000
425
426
427
426 Two Ash Burl Flasks Together with a Maple Burl Box
427 Group of Four Small Burl Bowls
18th century (box)
Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, first half of 19th century
The circular flask with screw off top may possibly be Woodlands made (Native Americans were interacting with Christian Missionaries from first contact)-the bottom inscribed IHS (Iesus Hominum Salvator), a Rare Ash Burl Powder Flask, and an early 18th century maple burl vessel (missing cover) with note, partially legible, ‘used by Grandmother as… body powder…’ (3)
The larger thinly hewn from ash burl with ashen grey color, the next ash burl with a dark nutty color with a highly patinated surface (ex. Garrett), the next also ash with a few early fills to the bottom and the smallest of maple with a beaded rim and canted sides.
H. 7 1/8 in. (tallest)
$1,500-2,500
$1,200-1,800
Provenance: Clark and Mary Garrett, Fairhaven, OH
Diam. 5 1/8 in. (largest) (4)
Additional Information and Condition Reports at Kenoauctions.com
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