Sculpture from the Collection of George Terasaki
Sculpture from the Collection of George Terasaki
Auction Closed
November 19, 09:20 PM GMT
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
TLINGIT OR HAIDA BIRD EFFIGY PIPE
Circa 1850-1880
Height: 4 in (10 cm)
Walnut, copper
The tail feather inscribed in red ink: "3496."
Edward H. Rogers, Milford, Connecticut
George Terasaki, New York, acquired from the above in 1965
Evan M. Maurer, The Native American Heritage: A Survey of North American Indian Art, Chicago, 1977, p. 294, cat. no. 453
Tobacco pipes were used by both the Tlingit and Haida in ceremonies such as house raisings and funerals, in order to carry the smoker's prayers to the spirit world. This upright bird has a great dark patina, and also a metal tube, possibly a musket barrel, inserted for the tobacco bowl. The bird's huge head is proportioned like a totem pole image, with much smaller body and wings, which is not unlike the form of a small fledgling. Minimal U-shaped forms indicate the layered feathers of the wings and tail, and a large round eye and open mouth also suggest the characteristics of a small fledgling bird.
Steven C. Brown