The Tomahawk Society was the third highest military society of the Arapaho tribe that historically lived in the plains of Colorado and Wyoming. Each society possessed different rituals and responsibilities, while warriors ascended through the societies by age alone. In his book Visions of the People: A Pictorial History of Plains Indian Life, Evan Mauer cited an 1896 government report by James Mooney that said Tomahawk Society members “carried sticks carved at one end in the rude semblance of a horse head, and pointed at the other. In desperate encounters they were expected to plant these sticks in the ground in a line in front of the body of warriors and to fight beside them to the death unless a retreat should be ordered by the chief in command.” An Arapaho Tomahawk Society staff leads Cowan’s upcoming auction, along with captivating lots from other sales around the world, including a Flemish tapestry, Minton majolica, Tiffany, Audubon, a spear from Captain Cook’s expeditions and more in this week’s picks.
COWAN’S
Sale Date: April 8, 2017
Lot 362
Arapaho Tomahawk Society Staff
Carved of a single piece of tapering wood; having one end crafted into the form of a horse’s head, head is detailed using brass tacks for eyes and red pigment under jaw; throat is wrapped with a white quilled hide thong and trailing fringe coated in red pigment; opposite end of staff is embellished with additional quillwork and red wool; 38 inches long. Second half Nineteenth Century.
Estimate: $20/30,000
LESLIE HINDMAN
Sale Date: April 12–13, 2017
Lot 302
Flemish Wool Allegorical Tapestry
Brussels, circa 1750, depicting “The Adoration of Spring,” the season represented by a lady receiving a crown of floral wreaths from three cherubs while a farmer and five maidens offer floral garlands and trays of fruit, the background having a verdant landscape with fountains, flowering plants and cypress trees; 130 inches by 130 inches.
Estimate: $20/25,000
SKINNER
Sale Date: April 7, 2017
Lot 563
Minton Majolica Crouching Monkey Garden Seat
England, 1864, the animal supporting a tasseled cushion atop its head, modeled holding a coconut and set on an octagonal-shaped faux-rattan base, impressed mark; 18 inches high.
Estimate: $8/12,000
DOYLE
Sale Date: April 5, 2017
Lot 307
Tiffany & Co. 18K Gold Demitasse Set
Circa 1907–1938, comprising 12 cups and 12 saucers, with porcelain liners. Together with 12 George III silver-gilt teaspoons.
Estimate: $40/60,000
AGUTTES
Sale Date: April 6-8, 2017
Lot 248
Historic Lance Ihe Laumeki
Originally from the collection of Captain James Cook, Hawaiian Islands, Polynesia, Eighteenth Century; length, 77¾ inches.
Estimate: $68/75,000
MICHAAN’S
Sale Date: April 8, 2017
Horacio Renteria Rocha (Mexican, 1912-1972)
“Girl in Red Dress with Chickens,” oil on canvas, 23-5/8 by 19¾ inches.
Estimate: $2/4,000
ELDRED’S
Sale Date: April 6-8, 2017
Lot 1291
John Joseph Audubon Elephant Folio
“Carolina Parrot” No. 6, Plate XXVI. “Psittacus Carolinensis, Linn, Males.1. Females.2.Young.3. Cocklebur Xanthium strumarium.” Marked lower left “Drawn from nature & published by John J. Audubon F, R, S F, L, S,” marked lower right “Engraved, Printed, & Coloured by R. Havell.” Paper with Whatman watermark.
Estimate: $65/85,000
DUMOUCHELLES
Sale Date: April 7-9, 2017
Lot 42023
Harold H. Piffard (British, 1895–1999)
Oil on canvas, “The Signing Of The Armistice — Nov. 11th, 1918.” Signed lower right, unframed, 40 by 60 inches.
Estimate: $15/20,000
SWANN GALLERIES
Sale Date: April 6, 2017
Lot 169
Hughie Lee-Smith (1915–1999)
“Silhouette,” oil on linen canvas, executed 1995, 42 by 50 inches. Signed in oil, lower right. This large and beautiful canvas epitomizes the Surrealism found in Hughie Lee-Smith’s late-career painting. “Silhouette” represents the final period of Lee-Smith’s body of work — his enigmatic and isolated figures are now actors on a landscape stage full of intrigue and beauty.
Estimate: $60/90,000
