Parure cérémonielle ,Tsimshian,Colombie Britannique, Côte nord-ouest

Parure frontale en forme d'étroit panneau convexe très finement sculpté, représentant un personnage humain accroupi – probablement un chaman – aux bras repliés, les mains articulées aux paumes tournées vers l'extérieur. Le visage aux traits puissants est marqué par des lèvres fines ouvertes sur les dents plaquées de nacre d'haliotide, un nez court, des yeux en amande animés par des pupilles en nacre, l'ensemble cerné par une frise de coquilles nacrées brillantes.

Collection Howard Roloff, Duncan, B.C.
Collection Eugene Chesrow, Chicago
Collection privée, New York

The frontlet is in good stable condition. Conservation and restoration was reported to have been performed to the periphery of the piece; the abalone is believed to all be original. Overall, the piece has typical wear for its age including some surface abrasion, a break to its left foot, and a minor and stable hairline crack on the face, as evidenced in the illustration.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

cf. Holm (1983 : 19) pour un exemplaire très comparable.
Selon l'auteur, "des contrées les plus lointaines du nord-ouest du pays Tlingit [...] jusqu'au centre de l'île de Vancouver, les chefs étaient couronnés de parures composées de matières aussi élégantes que somptueuses, nées du talent des sculpteurs. Les traditions attribuent aux coiffures de danse divers lieux d'origine, mais, quelle que soit leur provenance exacte, celle-ci doit probablement se situer quelque part dans le nord [...]. Partout où elles sont portées, les caractéristiques des parures de tête demeurent identiques : une armature cylindrique – souvent constituée de bandes de fanons de baleine et recouverte de tissus – à l'arrière de laquelle pend une longue traîne de peaux d'hermine blanche ; puis [...] une impressionnante plaque de bois sculptée, peinte et incrustée de nacre venant se fixer sur le front. La sculpture de cet ornement frontal représente un personnage emblématique ou mythique, encadré d'une collerette habituellement couverte de plaques de nacre irisée. Des incrustations identiques confèrent de l'éclat aux yeux, dents et articulations. Des matières somptueuses entourent la plaque, souvent couverte d'une bande de peau de cygne ou encadrée de peaux d'hermine" (idem).

A Tsimshian ceremonial headdress frontlet, British Columbia, Northwest Coast 

For a comparable frontlet see Holm (1983: 19). According to Holm, "from the farthest northwestern reach of Tlingit country...to the middle of Vancouver Island, dancing chiefs wore crowns of as elegant and as rich material as sculp­tor's skill could make. Traditions of the tribes assign various places of origin to the dancing head­dress, but, whichever is correct, it must have been somewhere in the north.... The features of the headdress are the same wherever it is worn: a cylindrical frame –often made of strips of whale baleen and covered with cloth – from the back of which hangs a long panel covered with rows of white ermine skins and a spectacular plaque carved of hardwood, painted and inlaid with abalone shell on the fore­head. This plaque, or frontlet, is carved to represent a crest or a mythical character. The figure in the center is surrounded by a flange that is usually cov­ered with inset plates of brilliantly iridescent aba­lone shell. Inlays of the same shell flash from the eyes, teeth, and joints. Sumptuous materials sur­round the intricate plaque. Often the crown is cov­ered with a band of swan skin, or ermines flank the frontlet" (Ibid.).