ALFRED JACOB MILLER | Two Arapaho

John Lewis King and Ida Estelle King, Maryland, circa 1900
Alvin Lewis Walton and Carrie Estelle Walton (by descent)
By descent to the present owner

Please contact the American Art department for this condition report: (212) 606 7280 or Colton.Klein@sothebys.com
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In the narrative extracted from The West of Alfred Jacob Miller (1837), the artist writes, “This scene represents an Arapaho Indian en famille, smoking his pipe and reposing under a blanket suspended from the branches of a tree, to screen them from the sun. We saw some fine specimens of this tribe. They do not shave their heads like the Sioux, but braid the center or scalp lock with ribbons or feathers of the 'War Eagle.' We noticed also a difference in their moccasins, the fronts extending only to the instep and wanting the side flaps. Indians are capable of designating a tribe very often by merely having the moccasins. The Arapahos were tall, finely formed men, from 5 ft. 8 in. to 6 ft. in height. In setting out on their war parties, the process of painting, dressing, and adorning themselves occupies considerably of their time and attention. When a party is seen scouring over the prairies under these circumstances it bodes no good to those they happen to encounter. As regards their steeds, they have no geldings & we saw none, except those brought from the States. The animal thus preserves all his game spirit & is capable of great endurance. They partake somewhat of the Arabian breed" (Alfred Jacob Miller, The West of Alfred Jacob Miller (1837): From the Notes and Water Colors in The Walters Art Gallery with an Account of the Artist by Marvin C. Ross, Norman, Oklahoma, 1968, p. 73).

We are grateful to Peter H. Hassrick, Director Emeritus and Senior Scholar at The Buffalo Bill Center of the West, for his assistance researching this lot.