Hand-Crafted Native American Objects

A beautiful, somewhat benevolent mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the Inuit peo...

A fantastic and somewhat playful mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the Inuit peoples, have a long history of ceremonial mask making. Yup'ik masks were originally and specifically designed by Shamans and made to be worn by these spiritual leaders in Winter tribal dances and sacred ceremonies. Traditionally, the masks were destroyed or discarded after use in these ceremonies. Very few of these masks survived. After Christian contact in the late 19th century, masked dancing was suppressed and the tradition all but died out. As more outsiders settled in Alaska at the turn of the century, masks were made by the Yup'ik people to sell or trade for necessary goods. It is likely that this mask was created some years later for this purpose. In the 20th century, Yup'ik mask had a profound influence on many renowned surrealist artists including, Max Ernst, Joan Miro, Leonora Carrington, Victor Brauner, and most notably Andre Breton who was an avid collector of Yup'ik masks. This fantastic anthropomorphic mask is carved of lighter wood, hand painted and decorated with pigment, and held together with natural fiber. The mask seems to represent some sort of smiling, benevolent spirit or character with its four eyes, bird beak, and cat-like ears. The mask is from a French collection. We were told that this mask, as well as others in the collection we have listed, was acquired originally in the 1950s-1960s in Alaska and the Yukon territory in Canada but as we have no way to verify or authenticate this. Please note we are listing the masks as decorative and not as actual tribal artifacts...

This large hand-crafted basket is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Canada and date to approximately 1970 and done in the period indigenous Canadian...

A beautiful, somewhat benevolent mask by the Yup'ik (Yupik) aboriginal, indigenous people of South-Western & South Central Alaska. The Yup'ik people, who are related to the Inuit peoples, have a long history of ceremonial mask making. Yup'ik masks were originally and specifically designed by Shamans and made to be worn by these spiritual leaders in Winter tribal dances and sacred ceremonies. Traditionally, the masks were destroyed or discarded after use in these ceremonies. Very few of these masks survived. After Christian contact in the late 19th century, masked dancing was suppressed and the tradition all but died out. As more outsiders settled in Alaska at the turn of the century, masks were made by the Yup'ik people to sell or trade for necessary goods. It is likely that this mask was created some years later for this purpose. In the 20th century, Yup'ik mask had a profound influence on many renowned surrealist artists including, Max Ernst, Joan Miro, Leonora Carrington, Victor Brauner, and most notably Andre Breton who was an avid collector of Yup'ik masks. This fantastic anthropomorphic mask is carved of lighter wood and hand painted/ decorated with pigment. The mask seems to represent some sort of smiling, benevolent spirit or character. The mask is from a French collection. We were told that this mask, as well as others in the collection we have listed, was acquired originally in the 1950s-1960s in Alaska and the Yukon territory in Canada but as we have no way to verify or authenticate this. Please note we are listing the masks as decorative and not as actual tribal artifacts...

Arts and Crafts hand crafted art tiles framed in oak. Central tile is of an American Indian on horseback in repose. Bronze colored tile framed by 12 square blue glazed tiles. We had ...

An expressive pair of fully beaded hide moccasins attributed to the Lakota of the Northern Plains, dating to the late 19th or early 20th century. Constructed with tall hide cuffs and...

Exploring the brilliant artistry of South American weaving with this captivating Vintage Hand-Woven Textile Panel. This exceptional piece features a striking banded stripes pattern, ...

Lonnie Vigil (1949 -) Micaceous Bowl 1994 8 inches H. x 13 inches in Diameter This striking bowl is by renown master potter Lonnie Vigil of Nambe Pueblo. Made from hand coils of micaceous clay, the surface is then slipped with micaceous clay and traditionally pit fired. Micaceous clay is so rich in the mineral mica that the mica's tiny gold-colored flakes impart a softly glowing, subtly textured surface to the finished pottery. So it is not just the form, but the surface that is so stunning on this beautiful piece. The bowl was fired to a deep golden orange, with the surface patterned by fire clouds. These fire clouds are varied in coloration forming an exquisite pattern on the surface of the bowl. Lonnie Vigil is the recognized master and innovator of micaceous pottery...

20Thc Native American Yei Indian weaving bolster pillow. The backing is in cotton linen homespun fabric. The insert is down & feather fill.

Quilled knife sheath with quilled drops, tin cones with yellow horsehair. With original collection tag. A very rare piece in this condition. Original tag reads "Knife sheath I bought from Mr. Corelson Marsh 1st - 1890 Pd 60 cts. Worth 2.00. Mr. Robb sent Me C. (Post - Trade form Ft Bennet Dakota. A valuable relic + very rare. Worked with colored porcupine quills. E Kaucher." Ex. Stalter Collection. Dr. Kenneth Stalter (1954-2012) grew up in Delaware County where he developed a lifelong interest in Native American tools...

Antique Apache Large Earthenware Pot, Second Half 19th Century, a very large hand molded clay spheroid vessel, a classic "Olla," with it's original rawh...

Handcrafted Oaxaca Clay Necklace – A Unique Artisan Piece A one-of-a-kind jewelry piece made in the northern mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico -each bead is meticulously shaped by hand an...

A Pillow made of heavy woven threat / yarn in a field of red with a Bird or Eagle being represented on the top. The Pillow is great as a small accent pillow on a bench of with other...

Coushatta lidded pine needle basket with pine cone and needle décor two sides and top. This woven by L.C. John, the last of the great Coushatta basket...

Navajo transitional pillow. Handmade pillow with front made of checkered Navajo 1880's transitional weaving and dark leather. Backed with canvas. F...

This terrific rattlesnake motif hand hammered and stamped Navajo cuff bracelet of heavy gauge sterling silver is set with six alternating cabochons of Mother-of-Pearl and Carnelian....

Navajo transitional pillow. Handmade pillow with front made of brown and black leather with strip of Navajo 1880's transitional weaving down center...

Decorated Coeur d’Alene tribe Pow Wow drum. Decorated with $1 bills around outside. Comes with base used at Pow Wows. Perfect size for coffee table with o...

An extraordinary example of an original vintage 1950s Pueblo turquoise nugget and heishi shell disc necklace with sterling silver clasp presenting in excellent original condition. T...

Navajo transitional pillow pair. Handmade pillows with front made of Navajo 1880's transitional weaving. Backed with canvas. Featuring natural dyed...

Very finely woven Panamint lidded basket having four eagles and diamond motif on lid. 4" diameter x 3" height Period: Last quarter of the 19th century ...

Tarahumara Indian Beer Fermenting Pot Sierra Tarahumara Mountains, Chihuahua, Mexico 1970s Low fire clay. 19.50 inches H. x 24.50 inches in Diameter A large vintage example of...

Native American bear paw snowshoes with tassels and black bear silhouettes. Early 20th Century excellent sample complete with yellow and fluffs on...

Authentic and genuine 19th Century Lakota Sioux fully beaded child's bonnet. Sinew sewn with cotton calico (flour sack) lining. Made for own use. Very few made, and fewer survived. B...

19th Century Native American Penobscot Bear Paw Snowshoes. Extra-large; Penobscot, museum quality. PERIOD: 19th Century ORIGIN: Northeast - Penobscot, Native American SIZE: 3' x 21 1...

Navajo transitional pillow pair. Handmade pillows with front made of Navajo 1880's transitional weaving. Backed with canvas. Featuring natural dyed...

Panamint rectangular, finely woven, polychrome negative basket with geometric design, sides and bottom. Period: Circa 1900 Origin: Panamint Size: 6" x 4" x 2 1/2" Family Owned &a...