Eskimo Seal Mask and Joseph Henry Sharp Painting Are Top Items in American Indian and Western Art Auction

An important 19th-century Eskimo seal mask from the St. Michael’s area was the top-selling lot in Cowan’s American Indian and Western Art Auction on September 11, 2009, more than doubling its $30/40,000 with a realized price of $88,125.  Constructed of two planks in red and black paint pinned together, with panels pierced for attachments and feathers, the mask is a fine example of the form.  The auction realized $950,000 in total proceeds, with nearly 560 bidders competing for 456 lots.

“I am very pleased with the results of the auction. One of the stars came early in the sale, lot 10, a beautifully carved and very tactile Eskimo Seal mask.  Additionally, the California baskets were a hot spot. The overall atmosphere of the sale was positive, which was reflected in the prices overall.  I also thought that our new iCowan's live bidding platform was an exciting addition to the auction,” commented Danica Farnand, Director of American Indian Art.

Two 19th - early 20th-century American Indian garments were among the highest-grossing lots in the auction.  A late 19th-century Fort Berthhold quilled war shirt with bright quilled strips of blue, yellow, white, and red, sold for $22,325, above its $15/20,000 estimate.  A complete Chippewa man's dance ensemble, including two bandolier bags with traditional floral motifs, velveteen leggings and sleeves with beaded decoration, a breech clout, a loom-beaded belt, and two pairs of beaded hide moccasins, brought $18,800, doubling its $8/10,000 estimate. 

A surprise winner in the auction was a Navajo Third Phase chief's blanket, which realized $16,450, wildly surpassing its $1000/1500 estimate.  “The blanket’s final price was a surprise in part because the condition of the piece is very rough.  However, the blanket is an early piece, dating to around 1870, with amazingly bright colors of hand-spun indigo and bayetta.  It is beautiful with a very classic design, which made it desirable,” commented Farnand.

Western art from several important collections, including the Estate of Dr. Edward Woliver of Cincinnati, Ohio, made up a quarter of the lots in the auction. Featured works by the genre’s most well-known artists, including Henry Farny, Charles Russell, and John Hauser, among others, were top sellers. 

“The Western Art portion of the auction was a success.  We offered solid examples that had great purchase histories, and we estimated them conservatively.  I think we’ve proven that by staying conservative for great works such as these, the consignor is better off in the long run,” commented Graydon Sikes, Director of Paintings and Works on Paper. 

The highlight of Dr. Woliver’s collection, an oil on canvas by Joseph Henry Sharp titled Hunting Son, Taos, brought $81,075, well above its $40/60,000 estimate.  The painting depicts Elk Foot Jerry, Sharp’s often-used American Indian model, and is representative of Sharp’s Southwestern oeuvre. 

Indian Portrait by fellow Cincinnatian Henry Farny, a small watercolor and gouache on paper, is likely derived from a sketch made during one of Farny’s many trips west and is a fine example of his realist Dusseldorf style.  It garnered $18,800, above its $10/15,000 estimate.

“I was thrilled with the participation of Cincinnati collectors in the auction, as they bid aggressively for works by artists with Cincinnati roots such as Farny and Sharp,” noted Sikes. 

Eanger Irving Couse’s Turkey Hunter realized $47,587.50, within its $30/50,000 estimate.  Couse, a member of the Taos Society of Artists, often painted Indian hunter scenes, and this was a sterling example.  A watercolor on paper by Charles Marion Russell titled The Brave brought $38,187.50, within its $35/55,000 estimate.   Though not known for works such as this, Russell painted several bust-length portraits of Indians, some of which are dated from 1899-1902.  This watercolor was likely executed during that time. 

The September 11th auction was the official kick-off of iCowans, Cowan’s new online live bidding platform.  Registered bidders with iCowans for this auction totaled 195 people, with proceeds from their winning bids exceeding $235,000 for 71 lots.  Several important lots sold to bidders via iCowans, including the Russell watercolor, the Couse oil on canvas, and a Taos Mountains scene by Oscar Berninghaus, which brought $17,625.

See the complete prices realized for the auction.