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438. Henry C. Balink (1882-1963) Chief Yellow Bird (Tad-Sa-On-Ja). Signed “Henry C. Balink” l.r., identified on a label affixed to the reverse. Oil on canvas, 25 x 30 in., in an Arts & Crafts frame, (minor flaking to u.l. and l.l. quadrants, subtle rippling to canvas, craquelure). Note: “The painting was made in 1934 in the studio on College Street in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Yellow Bird is one of the finest type of Indians found anywhere in the country. Yellow Bird has been Governor twice. He belongs to the cacique clan, been related to the high priest. He was born on the Santa Clara Reservation, but roamed a great deal around the Navajo and Apache reservation, about nine years ago he lost his squaw and he spent most of his time in mountains hunting and herding sheep. He loves to dance, and is a expert on different dances belonging to other tribes. He is now over 70 years of age, his eyesight is remarkable, and a forecaster of the weather, he knows it much better than the instruments of the weather bureau. The Indians know him as Tad Sa On Ja, meaning in English Yellow Bird, but his Spanish name is Marcellino Baca.” - Henry C. Balink $20,000-30,000
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