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Tony Abeyta (Dine, b. 1965) Acrylic on Canvas

 

Extraordinary 18th Century Pipe Tops a Spirited Cowan’s American Indian & Western Art Auction


Pieces from well-known collectors were in high demand all day sparking robust bidding that resulted in a $1.25 million sale.


An extraordinary 18th century eastern woodlands pipe previously owned by well-known collector Clem Caldwell was the top lot of busy day at Cowan’s Auction. The pipe, which sold for $132,000 (including a 20% buyer’s premium), was one of many bidding wars on the day that spurred Cowan’s Fall American Indian & Western Art Live Salesroom Auction to a $1.25 million total.

“The eastern woodlands pipe exceeded its high estimate but even at this price, our buyer got a great deal,” said Danica Farnand, Cowan’s director of American Indian Art. “Pipes from this era and this region are incredibly rare but pipes with this level of craftsmanship quite simply don’t ever come to market. Over 300 years after it was originally carved, you can still make out carved tattoo markings and his glass imitation wampum bead belt is still intact. It’s a stunning piece.”

Depicting a nearly naked reclined man sitting with his hands on his hips and legs extended, the pipe somehow managed to survive the European settlement of the southern Great Lakes and Ohio Valley region that destroyed most pieces of Native American culture from that time.

The rarity of the pipe was not lost on bidders. Bidding started at $40,000 as four phone bidders from around the country battled two floor bidders for several minutes before the hammer finally fell at $110,000 (the addition of the 20% buyer’s premium resulted in the total price realized of $132,000).

For the second time in 2017, the prehistoric art from Jan W. Sorgenfrei was the most coveted collection of the day. Although Sorgenfrei collected a wide variety of prehistoric artifacts, he was especially partial to birdstones and had assembled arguably the world’s finest collection at the time of his death. Bidders were eager to get their hands on pieces from the collection with many driving across the Midwest to come bid in person in Cincinnati. Part II of the collection sold for $221,160 in just 52 lots.

“The Sorgenfrei Collection is unparalleled,” said Farnand. “It’s not only a fairly diverse grouping of prehistoric art, but it’s also extremely well curated. All of the pieces were carefully chosen as outstanding examples of their medium. It’s no wonder demand has been so overwhelming.”

Top Lots

An Extraordinary 18th Century Eastern Woodlands Pipe, From the Collection of Clem Caldwell, Kentucky
An Extraordinary 18th Century Eastern Woodlands Pipe, From the Collection of Clem Caldwell, Kentucky
Price Realized: $132,000
Navajo Classic Serape with White Field / Rug
Navajo Classic Serape with White Field / Rug
Price Realized: $54,000
Blackfoot Beaded Hide War Shirt, Collected by John M. Phillips (1861-1953)
Blackfoot Beaded Hide War Shirt, Collected by John M. Phillips (1861-1953)
Price Realized: $54,000
Navajo Third Phase Chief
Navajo Third Phase Chief’s Blanket / Rug
Price Realized: $36,000
An Elongated Slate Birdstone, From the Collection of Jan Sorgenfrei
An Elongated Slate Birdstone, From the Collection of Jan Sorgenfrei
Price Realized: $32,400
Delaware Gunstock Club
Delaware Gunstock Club
Price Realized: $32,400
Eastern Plains Tacked Ball Club, From the Collection of Marvin Lince
Eastern Plains Tacked Ball Club, From the Collection of Marvin Lince
Price Realized: $25,200
Elongated Slate Birdstone, From the Collection of Jan Sorgenfrei
Elongated Slate Birdstone, From the Collection of Jan Sorgenfrei
Price Realized: $24,000

Highlights from the Sorgenfrei Collection

An Elongated Porphyry Birdstone
An Elongated Porphyry Birdstone
Price Realized: $19,200
An Elongated Slate Long Neck Birdstone, From the Collection of Jan Sorgenfrei
An Elongated Slate Long Neck Birdstone
Price Realized: $17,400
Elongated Slate Birdstone with Nodular Eyes, From the Collection of Jan Sorgenfrei, Findlay, Ohio
Elongated Slate Birdstone with Nodular Eyes
Price Realized: $14,400
A Slate Saddle Birdstone with Pop Eyes, From the Collection of Jan Sorgenfrei, Findlay, Ohio
A Slate Saddle Birdstone with Pop Eyes
Price Realized: $12,600

Beadwork Highlights

Sioux Beaded Buffalo Hide Cradle
Sioux Beaded Buffalo Hide Cradle
Price Realized: $14,500
Metis Quilled Hide Frock Coat
Metis Quilled Hide Frock Coat
Price Realized: $13,800
Sioux Beaded Infant Dress
Sioux Beaded Infant Dress
Price Realized: $6,000
Sioux Woman
Sioux Woman’s Beaded Dress
Price Realized: $4,305

Weaponry Highlights

Crow Tomahawk with Beaded Drop
Crow Tomahawk with Beaded Drop
Price Realized: $8,700
Haudenosaunee Ball Club with Human Effigy
Haudenosaunee Ball Club with Human Effigy
Price Realized: $8,610
Baldwin Hill
Baldwin Hill & Company Trade Dag Knife
Price Realized: $8,400
Great Lakes Spontoon Pipe Tomahawk
Great Lakes Spontoon Pipe Tomahawk
Price Realized: $5,700

Pottery Highlights

Trinidad Medina (Zia, 1884-1969) Attributed Pottery Olla
Trinidad Medina (Zia, 1884-1969) Attributed Pottery Olla
Price Realized: $9,600
Santa Ana Pottery Olla From the Collection of Dwight Lanmon
Santa Ana Pottery Olla From the Collection of Dwight Lanmon
Price Realized: $7,380
Fanny Nampeyo (Hopi, 1900-1987) Pottery Jar
Fanny Nampeyo (Hopi, 1900-1987) Pottery Jar
Price Realized: $7,200
We
We’wha (Zuni, ca 1848 – 1896) Attributed Polychrome Pottery Bowl
Price Realized: $6,900

Miscellaneous Highlights

Sioux Painted Muslin Warrior
Sioux Painted Muslin Warrior’s Cape
Price Realized: $12,600
Yupik Carved Walrus Ivory Dancers
Yupik Carved Walrus Ivory Dancers
Price Realized: $12,600
Northeastern Burl Bowl with Figural Ladle
Northeastern Burl Bowl with Figural Ladle
Price Realized: $12,000
Crow Painted Parfleche Cylinder
Crow Painted Parfleche Cylinder
Price Realized: $10,455
Don Lelooska (Kwakwaka
Don Lelooska (Kwakwaka’awkw, 1933-1996) Carved Wood Sculpture
Price Realized: $9,840
Blackfoot Split Horn Headdress with Imitation Horns
Blackfoot Split Horn Headdress with Imitation Horns
Price Realized: $8,400
Roger Skeet Sr. (Navajo, 1900-1959) Silver and Turquoise Concha Belt, From the C.G. Wallace Collection
Roger Skeet Sr. (Navajo, 1900-1959) Silver and Turquoise Concha Belt, From the C.G. Wallace Collection
Price Realized: $7,800
Plains Tacked and Wire-Wrapped Pipe Stem with Catlinite Bowl
Plains Tacked and Wire-Wrapped Pipe Stem with Catlinite Bowl
Price Realized: $6,900

More News From Cowan’s

Caren Auction Proves the Paper Collectible Market Is Alive and Well

Caren Auction Proves the Paper Collectible Market Is Alive and Well

Musical Collection Strikes a Chord in Fine

Musical Collection Strikes a Chord in Fine & Decorative Art Auction

Prices Soar Past Estimates in Cowan’s June American History Auction

Prices Soar Past Estimates in Cowan’s June American History Auction

European Weaponry In High Demand in Spring Firearms

European Weaponry In High Demand in Spring Firearms & Militaria Auction

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