1838 Wa Baun See, A Pottawatomie Chief Lithograph with Antique Arrowhead

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1838 Wa Baun See, A Pottawatomie Chief Lithograph with Antique Arrowhead

About the Item

This is a remarkable lithographic portrait of Wa Baun See, a Pottawatomie Chief, from McKenney and Hall’s three-volume work, Indian Tribes of North America. This portrait was printed in 1838 and is paired with an antique Native American arrowhead. Wa Baun See was chief of the Pottawatomie. In 1814, he signed the Treaty of Greenville, conveying Pottawatomie allegiance to the United States. This portrait was painted by Charles Bird King during Wabaunsee's visit to Washington, D.C. in 1835. He is depicted wearing a Presidential Peace Medal. Indian Tribes of North America has long been celebrated for its faithful and conscientious portraits of Native Americans. The lithographs in the book are based on paintings by the renowned artist Charles Bird King. The War Department employed King to paint the Indian delegates visiting Washington, forming the basis of the War Department's Indian Gallery. Most of King's original paintings were subsequently destroyed in a fire at the Smithsonian. As such, their appearance in McKenney and Hall's magnificent work is our only record of the likenesses of many of the most prominent nineteenth century Indian leaders. Thomas McKenney spent six year as the Superintendent of Indian Trade; during his tenure he became increasingly concerned for the survival of the Western tribes. McKenney observed calculating individuals take advantage of the Native Americans for profit and his vocal warnings about their future prompted President Monroe to appoint McKenney to the Office of Indian Affairs. As the first director, McKenney was tasked to improve the administration of Indian programs across various government offices. In the summer of 1829, McKenney took his first trip to Lake Superior for a treaty with the Chippewa, opening mineral rights on their land. In 1827, he journeyed west again for a treaty with the Chippewa, Menominee, and Winebago in the present state of Michigan. His journeys provided an unparalleled opportunity to acquaint himself with Native American tribes and leaders. When President Jackson dismissed him from his government post in 1830, McKenney was able to turn more of his attention to his grand publishing project, the Indian Tribes of North America. Within a few years, James Hall, a lawyer who had written extensively about the West, joined him. McKenney and Hall saw their work as a way of preserving an accurate visual record of what they feared was a rapidly disappearing culture. The book was published in three volumes, from 1836-1844. Condition: This lithograph has full original hand color. Paper is healthy with no signs of foxing marks. Slight printing from verso is visible. Antique arrowhead is comprised of carved stone, and has been archivally cleaned prior to framing. Both lithograph and arrowhead are framed to conservation standards, with acid-free mats, UV glass, and a custom-built black beaded frame. Framed dimensions: 29” H x 22” W x 2” D.

Dimensions:
Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 22.25 in (56.52 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Paper
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1830-1839
Date of Manufacture:
1838
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Paper is healthy with no signs of foxing marks. Slight printing from verso is visible. Antique arrowhead is comprised of carved stone, and has been archivally cleaned prior to framing.
Seller Location:
Colorado Springs, CO
Reference Number:
Seller: PR2251stDibs: LU909710617501