Skip to main content

Video Loading

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 11

Northwest Coast Beaded Head Ring, Kwakwaka'wakw 'Kwakiutl', Late 19th Century

$6,950List Price

About the Item

Antique Native American Northwest Coast Beaded Head Ring with a Sisiutl Design, Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwakiutl), circa 1890, constructed of Trade cloth and glass beads. Measurements listed include the custom tabletop display stand. The hat alone measures 4.5 H x 5.875 W x 7 inches De. In the 1890s, an interesting new piece of ceremonial regalia began to make its appearance among Kwakwaka'wakw ritualists. Certain styles of traditional headgear predate this type and probably influenced its development. These include the elaborate kinds of finely worked cedar-bark headrings that were made in this period and earlier, as well as elaborately carved, painted, and pieced-together wooden constructions that featured a range of individual family crest images in dramatic and flamboyant styles. This finely beaded, red trade-cloth example is composed with the design of a Sisiutl, the double-headed serpent that appears in many different forms and image styles in the Kwakwaka'wakw ceremonial tradition. The Sisiutl design was often associated with warriors and warrior imagery. Its flesh was impenetrable, it could cause instant death with a glance, and those who looked upon it were said to be turned to stone. The Sisiutl often appears on headpieces, wooden belts and dance paraphernalia, feast dishes, totem poles, and canoe designs. The double-headed serpent is often shown as it appears here, with a central face and two opposing profile bodies and heads, suggesting a three-headed creature. On totem poles, the central head is often at the bottom of the image, with each profile body and head extending up the pole on either side, suggesting that the two profile sides are the split halves of a single, second body and head. In images like the one on the subject work, the split halves of the double-headed serpent are opened out into the two profile sides that here wrap around the wearer’s head. This style of headpiece appears not to have continued in production into much of the 20th century, as few examples seem to have survived. Photographs from the 1950s and 1960s, the first decades of the potlatch revival period, don’t include headpieces of this kind, suggesting that the heyday of this style of headgear spanned the last decades of the 19th century and perhaps the earliest years of the 20th century. - Steven Clay Brown former curator of Native American art at the Seattle Art Museum who has authored several books on Northwest Coast art, as well as articles and essays for many other publications.

Creator:
Native American Art (Artist)
Dimensions:
Height: 12.125 in (30.8 cm)Width: 5.875 in (14.93 cm)Depth: 5.875 in (14.93 cm)
Style:
Native American (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Beads,Beaded
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1890
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
Seller Location:
Denver, CO
Reference Number:
Seller: DCG-164211stDibs: LU100463126462

You May Also Like

Northwest Coast Totem

By Native American Art

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Northwest Coast polychrome totem with multiple bird figures atop a turtle. Hole drilled for clamp. Well painted and carved with bright colors of red, black, blue, white, and brown on...

Category

Early 20th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Wood, Paint

Northwest Coast Totem

Northwest Coast Totem

$4,025

H 19 in W 5 in D 5 in

Northwest Coast Totem by Marlin Alphonse

By Native American Art

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Colorful Alaskan three figure winged totem. Carved and painted by Marlin Alphonse. Noted on back "purchased by Brad and Hazel Ritter on board Royal Princes, Sitka, Alaska 1986. His name heavily carved on back. PERIOD: 1986 ORIGIN: Alaska SIZE: 13"H x 12"W x 3 1/2"D Family Owned & Operated Cisco’s Gallery deals in the rare, exceptional, and one-of-a-kind pieces that define the history of America and the Old West. Our pieces range from American Indian to Cowboy Western and include original items of everyday life, commerce, art, and warfare that tamed America’s frontier. Our 14,000 square foot gallery opened in 1996 in beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Personal Service Cisco’s operates on old fashioned values – honesty and integrity, and all of our items are backed by our money back guarantee. We appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. Whether you desire assistance with a jewelry purchase, choosing a gift, identification, or even selling – we hope to be your trusted source. Native American carvings & totems native American Indian native American totem poles n.

Category

Vintage 1980s American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Cedar

Northwest Coast Totem by Marlin Alphonse

Northwest Coast Totem by Marlin Alphonse

$750

H 13 in W 12 in D 3.5 in

Circa 1900 Pair of Northwest Coast Totems

By Native American Art

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Matching pair of Northwest Coast carved model totem poles. Polychrome decorated with carved humanoid and bird figures. Each twice signed "Betty Sanners" back and bottom. Provenance Hudson Bay Fur Company, Seattle, Washington. 29"H Period: Early 20th century Origin: Northwest Coast Size: 29" base 4 1/2 x 3 1/2 Family Owned & Operated Cisco’s Gallery deals in the rare, exceptional, and one-of-a-kind pieces that define the history of America and the Old West. Our pieces range from American Indian to Cowboy Western and include original items of everyday life, commerce, art, and warfare that tamed America’s frontier. Our 14,000 square foot gallery opened in 1996 in beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Personal Service Cisco’s operates on old fashioned values – honesty and integrity, and all of our items are backed by our money back guarantee. We appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. Whether you desire assistance with a jewelry purchase, choosing a gift, identification, or even selling – we hope to be your trusted source. Native American carvings & totems native American Indian native American totem poles n.

Category

Antique Early 1900s American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Cedar

Circa 1900 Pair of Northwest Coast Totems

Circa 1900 Pair of Northwest Coast Totems

$10,350 / set

H 29 in W 12 in D 12 in

19th Century Northern Plains Beaded Possibles Bag

By Native American Art

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Northern Plains beaded possible bag. Sinew sewn and beaded on softly tanned hide using colors of red white heart, pea green, greasy yellow, royal blue and...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Other

19th Century Northern Plains Beaded Possibles Bag

19th Century Northern Plains Beaded Possibles Bag

$8,625

H 21 in W 15 in D 15 in

19th Century Native American Nez Perce Beaded Belt

By Native American Art

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Nez Perce beaded belt on harness leather adorned with brass diamonds in the center. Trunk piece - stored and in great condition. Beautiful colors of blues, reds, whites, orange and g...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Beads

19th Century Native American Nez Perce Beaded Belt

19th Century Native American Nez Perce Beaded Belt

$3,500

H 39 in W 2.25 in D 0.25 in

Early 20th Century Native American North West Coast Eagle Comb

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Early 20th Century Native American North West Coast Eagle Comb The eagle has a frog in its claws which is “holding” a whale. Carved with classic Nort...

Category

Early 20th Century Canadian Other Native American Objects

Materials

Wood, Paint

Early 20th Century Native American North West Coast Eagle Comb

Early 20th Century Native American North West Coast Eagle Comb

$4,100

H 5.5 in W 2.75 in D 2.25 in

19th Century Cheyenne Leggings

By Native American Art

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Cheyenne pictorial leggings with horseshoes (horse stealing). Brain tanned deer skin, yellow ochre and green with red ochre on reverse. Older bead shirt strips sinew sewn and moved o...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Hide, Beads

19th Century Cheyenne Leggings

19th Century Cheyenne Leggings

$12,650

H 32 in W 18 in D 0.5 in

Pair Northwest Coast Cedar Totems

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Northwest coast cedar TOTEM. Signed in pencil on back, "Susan Peters." We assume a former owner. Base is contemporary, almost matching totems. Carved o...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Cedar

Pair Northwest Coast Cedar Totems

Pair Northwest Coast Cedar Totems

$6,900

H 13 in W 2.5 in D 2.5 in

19th Century Sioux Beaded Moccasins

By Sioux Indian Art

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Sioux fully beaded moccasins. Red, white and blue with geometric stacked colors. Hard soles, cotton cuff edging. Period: Late 19th Century Origin: Gr...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Hide, Beads

19th Century Sioux Beaded Moccasins

19th Century Sioux Beaded Moccasins

$3,450

H 10.5 in W 4 in D 4 in

19th Century Cheyenne Beaded Moccasins

By Sioux Indian Art

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Cheyenne fully beaded moccasins. Red, yellow and blue on white background. Soft soled brain tanned hide. PERIOD: Late 19th Century ORIGIN: Great Plai...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Hide, Beads

19th Century Cheyenne Beaded Moccasins

19th Century Cheyenne Beaded Moccasins

$3,450

H 10 in W 4 in D 4 in

More From This Seller

19th C. Plains Native American Roach Headdress, Deer & Porcupine Hair

By Native American Art

Located in Denver, CO

This exceptional 19th-century Plains Indian roach headdress is a rare and visually striking example of traditional Native American ceremonial regalia. ...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Fur

19th C. Plains Native American Roach Headdress, Deer & Porcupine Hair

19th C. Plains Native American Roach Headdress, Deer & Porcupine Hair

$3,750

Signed Northwest Coast Killer Whale Mask, Attributed to Johnny Johns

Located in Denver, CO

This striking hand-carved wooden mask from the Pacific Northwest Coast powerfully embodies the rich artistic traditions and cultural symbolism of Indigenous coastal peoples. Featurin...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Native American Tribal Art

Materials

Wood, Bentwood

Signed Northwest Coast Killer Whale Mask, Attributed to Johnny Johns

Signed Northwest Coast Killer Whale Mask, Attributed to Johnny Johns

$5,450

Antique Hopi HeHeya Clown Kachina Doll with Watermelon, circa 1900–1925

By Native American Art

Located in Denver, CO

This rare antique Hopi HeHeya Clown Kachina doll, carved in the first quarter of the 20th century, is an exceptional example of traditional Hopi spiritual...

Category

Early 20th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Wood

Antique Hopi HeHeya Clown Kachina Doll with Watermelon, circa 1900–1925

Antique Hopi HeHeya Clown Kachina Doll with Watermelon, circa 1900–1925

$9,500

Circa 1915 Pueblo Old Pawn Turquoise Cuff Bracelet in Stamped Ingot Silver

By Native American Art

Located in Denver, CO

This vintage Southwestern Native American cuff bracelet, crafted by a Pueblo artisan circa 1915, is a striking example of early Old Pawn jewelry. Made...

Category

Early 20th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Silver

Circa 1915 Pueblo Old Pawn Turquoise Cuff Bracelet in Stamped Ingot Silver

Circa 1915 Pueblo Old Pawn Turquoise Cuff Bracelet in Stamped Ingot Silver

$2,650

19th-Century Kiowa-Apache Beaded Hide Bag, Native American Plains Artifact

By Native American Art

Located in Denver, CO

This rare and beautifully preserved 19th-century Kiowa-Apache hide bag is an exceptional example of Native American Plains artistry and craftsmanship. Expertly hand-stitched from nat...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Hide, Beads

19th-Century Kiowa-Apache Beaded Hide Bag, Native American Plains Artifact

19th-Century Kiowa-Apache Beaded Hide Bag, Native American Plains Artifact

$2,650

Antique Crow Beaded Knife Sheath, circa 1870, Native American Plains

By Crow

Located in Denver, CO

This exceptional Crow (Apsáalooke) beaded knife sheath, dating to circa 1870, is an outstanding artifact from the Classic Period of Native American artist...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Native American Native American Objects

Materials

Hide

Antique Crow Beaded Knife Sheath, circa 1870, Native American Plains

Antique Crow Beaded Knife Sheath, circa 1870, Native American Plains

$5,800

Recently Viewed