the peter brams collection of important woodlands indian art

The Peter Brams

Collection of

Important

Woodlands

Indian Art17 January, 2012Afternoon Session

Front cover: Lot 322 (detail)Back cover: Lot 346 (detail)Inside front cover

Lot 308Inside back coverView of Peter Brams’ home

President and Owner: Leigh Keno, [email protected]: Sarah DeSanctis, [email protected] O’Brien, [email protected] Sheldon, [email protected] Skibitcky, [email protected]

Auction Inquiries & Bid Department:Sale Inquiries:phone: 212 734 [email protected]

Auction Online:This auction features online viewingat Kenoauctions.com and live onlinebidding at Liveauctioneers.com.

Conditions of Sale:This auction is subject toImportant Notices, Conditions ofSale and Reserves.

THE PETER BRAMS COLLECTION OF IMPORTANT WOODLANDS INDIAN ART

Sale:Tuesday, January 17, 2012 Afternoon Session

Viewing:Saturday, January 14, 2012 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.Sunday, January 15, 2012 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.Monday, January 16, 2012 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.Tuesday, January 17, 2012 8:00 a.m. to End of sale.

(viewing available during sale)

Location:Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, Wallace Hall980 Park Avenue at 84th StreetNew York, NY 10028

Auction Code: 1005In sending absentee bids or making inquiries, this sale should be referred to as SALE 1005.

Ihave a secret. I have had a long-term love affair with burl bowls and ladles; I am crazy about the stuff and have spent most of my life seeking items for my own collection, and treasure every piece as if it were a fine jewel.

So, I can say with genuine gratitude and pride that it is a great honor for Keno Auctions to present and offer The Peter Brams Collection ofImportant Woodlands Indian Art. My love of Native American works, and burl in particular, goes back to when I was a young child. Growing up in Mohawk, NY, with my brother,Leslie, at the age of eleven, we discovered a small cache of bowls and ladles that were made by Woodland Indians – the thrill of it! There werethree experiences that had a tremendous effect on me regarding my introduction to carved wooden bowls and ladles, and I would like to sharethem with you.

The Sleeper : One day, in 1970, we attended a garage sale near my boyhood home, andpeeking out of a box just brought up from the cellar was a horse head – Leslie and Iwere practically overcome by excitement. As I examined the object I noticed the earsand eyes were delineated but the horse was actually the top of a burl ladle, with awonderful patina and well worn surface; it was $15. I calmly snapped up the unrecog-nized treasure and once out of sight from the seller, we proceeded to do cartwheelson the lawn! The Sage: A year later, I met the revered collector and dealer Devere Card inHamilton, NY, who was setting up the first exhibition of burl ever mounted in theUnited States. My parents began to regularly drop us off at Devere’s home and wewere allowed to run up the stairs to the inner sanctum – the “Burl Room”, where hekept his personal collection. I marveled over the organic yet contemporary aesthetic ofthe forms: the lushness and primal fecundity of a bowl and the well worn surface of its

interior. The delicate carving of an effigy ladle, its paddle worn from centuries of use fascinated me. When I learned that these pieces were notonly utilitarian but they had deep spiritual meaning to the Native Americans, I was hooked.The Failed Experiment: One day my father sawed a knotty wood burl off the side of a tree and I quickly grabbed the piece and started to hollow itout with a chisel and hammer. Leslie and I filled it with charcoal briquettes, much like the Indians might have done, but to keep the coals fiery hotwe cheated and fanned them with a hairdryer. Dozens of hours were spent laboring over that bowl and we ended up with a thick walled, homelyvessel. Today, that very bowl sits behind my desk. The experience humbled me, and made me appreciate how challenging it must have been for theWoodland Indians to create these beautiful, powerful sculptural yet functional objects, some using only stone tools. They were Masters of theircraft.The artistry required to produce burl bowls, ladles and objects was passed down for centuries, through generations of Woodland Indians. The quality of the objects created was far superior to that of the European settlers that came to America from the 17th through 19th centuries andtheir great sculptural beauty transcends time and aesthetic. Great art should trigger a visceral reaction. Great objects have an inner light thatdraws you in and envelopes you. Peter Bram’s collection of Woodlands Indian Art speaks to me on many, many levels in an astounding way.Thank you, Peter, for sharing the passion that you so fervently have for Woodlands Indian Art. Your love for and dedication to this art form hashelped build a collection that is simply unprecedented in terms of quality, rarity, condition and provenance.

—Leigh Keno, December 2011

Keno Auctions would like to thank Steven S. Powers for his expert assistance in cataloging the Peter Brams Collection.

LESS IS MORE

The Brams Collection of Woodlands Indian Art is the most extensive and comprehensive collection of its type in private or public hands. With anobsessive focus on Woodlands sculpture (primarily bowls and ladles), Mr. Brams, by assembling such an immense collection, has greatly aided in

expanding the understanding of this important material. Mr. Brams, born in New Hampshire, but long a native of New York has been collecting his whole life. For the past forty years, Brams has beenthrough many collecting cycles—often the next overlapping with the previous—a true evolution. In the 1980’s Brams collected contemporary fineart (Basquiat, Gilbert & George, Carl Andre), then in the early 1990 s Outsider Art (James Castle, Sam Doyle), which led him to American Folk Art(Bill Traylor, William Edmundson, Edgar McKillup, George Morgan, Moses Ogden, and numerous unknown artists and craftsmen). It was the best ofAmerican Folk Art that led him to Woodlands sculpture. In hindsight, it can be seen that in each step Brams was constantly sifting and refining, seeking the essential elements that compose great sculpture—assured form, quality of execution, and surface—which is the Woodlands aesthetic atits’ core.For those who have been lucky enough to work with a collector as obsessive and curious as Brams, you will understand that to view a congrega-tion of material like this together in one place was a privileged one. Though many Native American and Folk Art dealers are familiar withWoodlands burl bowls and effigy ladles—their experience in handing them are almost always isolated instances. Only a handful had the opportunityto view the Brams collection en masse in his apartment. Though the experience of seeing such quality and depth within a few hundred square feetwas aesthetically intoxicating and simultaneously mentally overwhelming—it was also the best opportunity for a crash or extended course inWoodlands sculpture. To be able to see first hand how representational forms transformed into reductive or abstracted versions of the same onladles and bowls was a unique one. Woodlands art separates itself from other North American indigenous works, by imposing the “less is more” or “simplicity is the ultimate sophistica-tion” creed. For an example in contrast, the art of the Northwest Coast is powerful, often loaded with color and can hit you across the room—Woodlands art is understated and intimate—it invites you in.

WOODLANDS BOWLS“They have dainty wooden bowles of maple, of highe price amongst them; and these are dispersed by bartering one with the other....” — Thomas Morton, circa 1625Wooden carved effigy bowls are important and profound carvings of the Woodlands culture. Their marriage of utilitarian form with ceremony isarguably unsurpassed by any culture. The carvings are intimate and understated, yet powerful and bold without any contrivance. The carved effigiesexude tremendous confidence and potential energy.

“Before any formal aspects of these objects may be effectively discussed, a single underlyingconcept must be recognized...wood is sacred.” Gaylord Torrence writes in Art of the RedEarth People: The Mesquakie of Iowa, 1989. Robert Hobbs continues from the same, ““They regard trees, for example, as their grandparents. And bowls are formed of burls,which appear on tree trunks in enlarged growths that resemble the swelling caused bya human fetus. Since a tree’s swelling burl is a metaphor for fecundity, these bowlsserve also as an image of hope in the sacred feasts where they are used.” ThoughTorrence and Hobbs refer specifically to the Mesquakie of the Sauk and Fox, thesethoughts can suitably be applied to the beliefs of all Woodlands people.Effigy bowls were not common utilitarian receptacles for food service—they werereserved for ceremonial feasts or medicine rituals. They were

created with such thought and purpose that today we can understand just a fraction of their original import.The Woodlands people were master bowl makers. Not only were their effigy bowls superb examples of indigenous art, their vessels for everydayfood preparation, serving and individual use were often remarkable works masterfully conceived and thoughtfully executed in hardwood burls (ash,elm and maple). Their understanding of form follows function lead them to ingenious and refined design—think of the classic Iroquoian double han-dled bowl. They appreciated surface and the complexity that use and age lent to these vessels and theseobjects were passed down from generation to generation—for wood was sacred.WOODLANDS LADLES“The end of the [ladles] handle is often surmounted with the figure of an animal or bird....These figures wereoften carved with surpassing skill, the proportions, and attitude of the animal being accurately preserved andstudied.” — Lewis Henry Morgan, 1851Effigy ladles of the Woodlands Indians are remarkably refined utilitarian objects carved with platformsthat display dynamic small-scale sculpture. A ladle is the personal eating implement for an individual.Larger examples were for the tribe to be used during feasts and ceremonies.Since, one was expected to bring his or her own spoon and dish to each meal, a small eating bowl andladle or effigy ladle was part and parcel of every Woodlands person. The effigy carved upon one’s ladlewas personally meaningful or representative of its owner. Effigies were often totemistic of one’s clan—bear, wolf, turtle, etc. Effigies, either abstracted or fantastical, were often carved in response to one’sdreams or illness. One would consult and discuss their dreams or visions with a medicine man and adesign and type of wood would be decided upon.Overwhelmingly, the perching bird is the most common animal found on effigy ladles. Others include thebeaver, otter, bear, wolf, panther, Manitou, and other mythological creatures. Human effigy ladles are quitescarce and tend to be early. Principle to the Woodlands aesthetic, the carvings look to capture theessence of the subject—in this case, effigies are often difficult to determine—they may reduce the carv-ings to particular details (e.g. an eye) or to the general architecture of the body. The beaver ladles inBrams’ collection illustrate this point well—without the aid of the more representational forms, it would have been hard to figure out the morereductive examples. The same is seen with ladles that use the demilune. In early examples it is more clear that this represents the eye of a Manitou,and though it was later still part of the carver’s vernacular, some of its meaning looks to have been lost in the 19th century.

Through our almost daily conversations on life, art and forming this collection, Peter has become a thoughtful friend and mentor—here I wish tothank him for affording me his friendship and the opportunity to aid in forming this most glorious collection.

—Steve Powers, November 2011, Brooklyn, NY

THE FAMILY FEAST

Imagine the aromas, tastes, and place settings at your Thanksgiving table with everyone ready to enjoy the special meal served on dishes reservedfor such occasions. We all know the pleasure of being part of those special family dinners and holiday feasts that embody our traditions and mark

our journey through time and generations.Feasts like this are a part of all world cultures and it continues to be of prime importance to the many tribal groups who have made their homes inthe Woodland and Great Lakes regions of North America for thousands of years. Since all adults used them, the expertly carved wooden bowlsand ladles used at these feasts were the most common utilitarian objects in the Native American homes of these regions and were admired andcommented upon by European observers since the 17th century.The only study of these forms after the first article published in 1908 (1), was an essay I wrote for the Detroit Institute of Arts that first appearedin 1986 and then again in 1989. (2) Therefore the present sale and catalogue of the Brams collection is an important opportunity to enjoy a largeselection of aesthetically refined examples of this important Native American art tradition.Given the nature of their use, Woodland and Great Lakes eating utensils are relatively small in scale, strong, yet light, with remarkably thin sides andhandles. The people who used them moved to seasonal camping areas and all their possessions had to be carried on their backs or by their dogsso weight and durability were important factors in their manufacture. Many of these utensils were made for daily meals but the most importantexamples were used in religious feasts and are decorated with images of animals and anthropomorphic figures. These figures had a variety of associated meanings. Some referred to an individual's clan affiliation and some were carved especially for importantceremonies of the Midewiwin Grand Medicine Society, healers, and even games of chance. In all cases the animal, human and spiritual figures carvedon these objects represented social and religious forces of prime importance, and their use expressed vital concepts of personal identity and reli-gious reverence. This tradition of representational imagery had its roots in the ceramics made in the ancient Woodland and Mississippian eras. The figures are of apleasing scale relative to the size and form of the bowl of which they are an integral physical and visual element. The forms are usually recognizableeven though they of a miniature scale and are carved with a minimum of anatomical detail. The subtlety of their proportions make them trulymonumental in scale and we can envision them being made into large, super-sized objects like Claes Oldenburg did with his Pop sculptures.As with most Native American art objects, those of the finest quality were made by specialists, master artists with superb control of their tools andmaterials and a strong aesthetic sensibility that could capture the essence of a figure through minimal means.Their carving tools were made of stone, shell, and even beaver teeth, and the surfaces of the wood were finished with a smooth, even, polish thattook on color and depth with repeated use and age. As F.W. Hodge wrote in 1906, "bowls that had been long in use for these games acquired apolish and color unattainable by art and were prized as tribal possessions." (3)Unless the objects have a strong provenance, they can only be dated by a close stylistic analysis compared to examples with a known history, andby an assessment of their surface patina relative to other objects. It takes a good deal of use over a long period of time to attain the rich patinationwe so admire in these fine bowls and ladles. I have been using ash ladles and spoons made by the Mesquakie carver Arthur Black Cloud that aresimilar to, but less realistic than the Mesquakie Dog Effigy Ladle (lot 360) in the Brams collection. After over 20 years of use the heads and handlesof my ladles are just starting to get a rich surface so I can imagine how may years or even generations were necessary to achieve a dark patina.As works of art both wooden bowls and ladles form a long tradition of aesthetic excellence over a period of centuries. An example of theirsophistication is well illustrated by the formal relationship between bowls with anthropomorphic effigy figures on their rims and their abstractedcounterparts. This can be seen if we compare the beautifully stylized anthropomorphic arms, shoulders, and neck on the Western GreatLakes/Prairie Manitou effigy bowl in the Brams collection (see lot 366) with the17th century Eastern Great Lakes elm burl effigy bowl (see lot 308)with the even more abstract effigy which is a minimal visual metaphor of the thing that is being represented.The same elegant transformation from the representational to the abstract is seen when we compare two early ladles in the Brams collection; theanatomically detailed Eastern Great Lakes (Mohawk or Iroquois) beaver effigy ladle ( see lot 372) with the more abstracted beaver figure on theend of its handle from the Eastern Great Lakes, New York area (see lot 376) . Each has its own distinct charm and power, two styles in one culturaltradition.

—Evan M Maurer, November 2011

Director Emeritus of the

Minneapolis Institute of Arts

END NOTES(1) C. Willoughby, "Wooden Bowls of the Algonquian Indians,”

The American Anthropologist 10, 3 (1908) p.423(2) Evan M Maurer "Representational and Symbolic Forms in Great lakes and Woodland Sculpture," in David W. Penney ed. Great lakes Indian Art, Wayne State University Press and the Detroit Institute of Arts (1989) pp. 23 - 38(3) F. W. Hodge, ed. handbook of American Indians North of Mexico, Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 30 (1906) p.164(4) The Native American Heritage, p.124, no.130

6 Additional Information, Photographs and Condition Reports at Kenoauctions.com

301

303

302 302

302

301 Painted Shop Sign: D. A. Card. / ANTIQUES. / 52 UTICA ST.

Original sign for DeVere A. Card Antiques, Hamilton, NY. Card was a well-known

New York state dealer from the 1920’s - 1970’s who amassed museum quality collec-

tions of powder horns, iron and Colonial and Native American burl. He is regarded as

the “father of burl collectors.” In 1971, Card mounted the fi rst exhibit of burl in the

Country which was exhibited at the Munson-Williams Proctor Institute, 1971.

H. 30 3/4 in., W. 43 3/4 in.

$500-1,000

302An Ash Burl Scoop Depicting a Reductive Bird, an Abstract Maple Effi gy Ladle, and a Large Deep Ash Burl Bowl

The scoop and the bowl:

Central Great Lakes, early 19th century

The scoop with a large deep bowl hewn from ash burl with the handle extending

into the straight grain in the form of a reductive bird. The deep bowl with straight

sides.

L. of scoop 11 in.

The effi gy ladle:

Eastern-Central Great Lakes Woodlands, circa 1820

For years this ladle was thought to be a cross in reference to the Christian conver-

sion that many Woodlands people experienced. However, after spending some time

amongst his ladle library, Brams started to doubt this attribution. It is Brams’ hypoth-

esis that the carving may actually represent a reductive bird-of-prey or thunderbird-

like a cross section.

(3)

L. 9 inches

$1,200-1,800

303Preening Swan Effi gy Ladle

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, second half 18th century

This delicate example has a proportionally large bird with openwork between the

neck and body—the waisted handle is detailed with recessed bead at the waist.

Exceptional dark color and rich patination.

L. 5 3/8 in.

$5,000-8,000

Additional Information, Photographs and Condition Reports at Kenoauctions.com 7

304

306

307305

304Ash Burl Ladle with Large Preening Bird

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, circa 1780

The handle large-scale openwork carved preening bird with delineated, incised carved

perch. The bowl with old reshaping during in-use period.

L. 7 14/16 in.

$1,500-3,000

305Four Bird Effi gy Ladles

1800-1860

Four bird effi gy ladles illustrating a range of different carving sensibilities from repre-

sentational to abstract (the two middle examples illustrate a bird of the same form;

one is representational and the other reductive and nearly abstract).

(4)

L. 7 3/4 in. (tallest)

$2,500-3,500

306Four Reductive Bird Effi gy Ladles

Great Lakes Woodlands, fi rst half 19th century

Graduating in size, four reductive bird heads, two with large coxcomb devices and

one with a large beak and another with pointed beak and a highly stylized coxcomb.

(4)


$1,200-1,800

307Small Preening Goose Ladle


Delicate form with well rendered goose atop a simple handle. Openwork between

the neck and body.

L. 5 13/16 in.

$800-1,200


308

308Elm Burl Effi gy Bowl

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, fi rst half 18th century (or possibly earlier)

In the canon of Eastern Woodlands bowls this example stands high in terms of

sheer elegance and quiet beauty. It is truly sublime. The highly castellated back with

repeating scallops recedes from the bowl as it rises, which is quite unusual. With

the introduction of the opposing crest, the origin of this bowl is likely Northeastern-

central New York or Southern Ontario, which would suggest Iroquois or Ojibwa

manufacture.

Though the nature of the carving is not fully understood, the castellation is interpret-

ed as being avian in nature. However, it is possible that the rounded steps may refer

to the backside of the underwater panther.

A bowl of similar proportions and line is illustrated though not discussed in Charles

C. Willoughby’s article, “Wooden Bowls Of The Algonquin Indians,” American

Anthropologist, N. S., 10, 1908, p. 426. That bowl, however, does not have the

opposing crest and appears to have fewer scallops.

This elegant 17th century ovoid bowl is distinguished by a large, scalloped edged, triangular form incorporated into one end of the rim. This element repre-sents the stylized anthropomorphic torso of a Manitou Spirit fi gure. The smaller form on the opposite side of the rim refers to a tail. Bowls with anthropomor-phic or animal bodies have precedents in ceramics made hundreds of years earlier in the lower Woodlands and Great Lakes regions.

In considering the shapes of these vessels we must remember that they are works of art that were meant to be used at feasts and these rim extensions had a functional use as handles to make them easier to hold.

– Evan M. Maurer, Director Emeritus, The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, December, 2011

L. 14 in., W. 11 3/8 in., H. 5 7/8 in.

$40,000-80,000

Provenance: Donald Ellis, Dundas Ontario

Troha Bono Shrub Oak, NY

Steven S. Powers, Brooklyn, NY

Illustrated and discussed in Powers, S. North American Burl Treen: Colonial & Native

American, Brooklyn, NY, 2005, p. 108.


309

309Bear Effi gy Crooked Knife

Eastern Woodlands, circa 1860

Penobscot, Maine

This knife is carved with a large bear’s head effi gy with relief carved ears and incised

eyes and a slight open mouth—chip carved decoration around the edges. Appears to

retain its original copper wrap around what appears to be the original blade.

L. 9 1/2 in.

$1,200-1,800

310

311

312

310Group of Three Related Reductive Animal Effi gy Ladles

Eastern Great Lakes, circa 1780-1825

The three likely all reductive bear effi gy ladles. The mid-sized one with a more

developed effi gy carving, exhibiting a fi ne patina under a later painted (mid-late 19th

century) seascape and lighthouse scene in the bowl.

L. 6 7/8 in.

(3)

$2,000-4,000

311Very Large Ladle and Large Reductive Bear Effi gy Ladle

Western Great Lakes Woodlands (Cree) and Great Lakes, fi rst half 19th century

The outsized Cree ladle is carefully carved with a thin bowl and proportional con-

cave-fronted handle—the whole with a desirable old fi nish.

The reductive maple bear ladle of atypical form, the ears carefully delineated and the

back of the head with a vertical incised line. The bowl with burled wood.

L. 14 in. (tallest)

(2)

$1,200-1,800

312Human and Bear Maple Effi gy Ladle

Great Lakes Woodlands, circa 1820

One can only speculate its meaning, but possibly a transference of power or energy?

The whole is well executed with openwork carving around the fi gures. Strong tiger-

ing of the maple specimen throughout the handle and effi gies.

The majority of Woodlands/Great Lakes effi gy ladles feature a single representational element carved at the end of the handle. These fi gures are iconic forms that sit as majestic miniatures proclaiming a personal or clan relationship of the owner.

These two ladles (see lot 425 Human Effi gy ladle) are unusual in that they represent more than one fi gure in the case of the human and the bear, or one fi gure interacting with an object, such as the man smoking a bear effi gy pipe. In many cultural areas of Native America the bear is especially associated with healing and medicine. The bear and the human imply a narrative, a story that would have been understood by all who saw it. The use of tobacco and the smoking pipe are sacred ritual acts in Native American societies. So the representation of a man in the act of smoking was a familiar one and would have engaged the user and the viewer in another meaning-ful narrative.

– Evan M. Maurer, Director Emeritus, The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, December, 2011, referring also to lot 125

L. 10 3/8 in.

$3,000-6,000


313Maple Bird Effi gy Ladle (Resembling a Bird Stone)


The Woodlands people carved ceremonial bird fi gures in stone for thousands of

years before European contact. The fi gure carved upon this example resembles the

architecture of these prehistoric stone carvings. Maintaining a dark complex surface

with fi ne worn patina to the handle.

L. 7 1/4 inches

$2,000-4,000

314Ash Burl Bird Effi gy Ladle with Coxcomb


The bowl is deep and full-bodied, the fi gure of the burl is vivid, and the effi gy is quiet

and elegant. The carving is interpreted in its entirety as a bird with a coxcomb and

the handle and bowl as the bird’s body.

Note the handles gently tapering concave surface. The old surface is very desirable

with mellow old patina.

L. 8 in.

$4,000-8,000



313 314

315

315Iroquois Ash Burl Bowl with Open Handles

First half 18th century

Early shallow bowl with prominent open cut handles extending from the rim. This

style of handle is typically earlier than the later squared off handles with rectilinear

handholds.

H. 6 in., W. 19 in., L. 15.75 in.

$4,000-8,000


316 (detail)

318

316 (detail)

317 (detail)

319 (Abenaki wisk pictured)

316Two Penobscot Clubs

Large Penobscot Club with Face

19th century

Traditional Penobscot (Maine) club of exceptional character and form. This early

example likely to pre-date the late 19th and early 20th century examples made for

trade. A large male face is carved from within the root portion—fi ne fl oral chip carv-

ing covers the large handle.

These clubs, fashioned from birch root/burl, were not made as weapons, but were

used during important ceremonies and dances.

H. 24 in.

Penobscot Root Club with Carved Face

19th century

Fine early example with a single carved face with painted black highlights on the

carving of hair, eye brows and eyes and chip carved handle. Appears to be the same

hand as the large club that is illustrated in American Vernacular.

(2)

H. 20 in.

$1,500-2,500

Literature: Illustrated and discussed in: Maresca, Ricco, American Vernacular, p. 75

317Penobscot Birch Root Club with Carved and Painted Bear

Circa 1890-1920

Unusual example with a large bear head carved at the club end. The face is painted

red with red eyes. Foliate chip carving extends down the handle.

L. 23 1/2

$600-800

318Four Penobscot Root Clubs

Late 19th/early 20th century

Comprising, a monumental example with heavy chip carving on the handle and a

single large horned forest creature carved into the large burl, an example carved with

a small face atop a zoomorphic fi gure, and another with single large face, together

with a small, plain birch root club/stick.

(4)


$1,000-1,500

319Abenaki Hickory Wisk and Basket Stamp

Woodlands, fi rst half of 19th century

An ingeniously made whisk out of one piece of hickory-the engineering and execu-

tion is astounding when one looks to fi gure out how it was made. Together with a

rare wooden carved Abenaki basket stamp. The stamp with stained remains of green

earth pigments. Basket stamp illustrated in online catalogue.

(2)

L. 11 in.

$300-500


320Atlantic White Cedar Burl Bowl

Abenaki, circa 1760-1800

Regarded by many as the masterpiece of Abenaki white cedar burl vessels. The soft

lines of the thickly hewn rolled lip, deep proportions and the repeating compass

scribed decoration make it a transcendent object. The exterior retains thousands of

overlapping rasp marks and the interior retains deep gouge marks.

The scribed decoration is a variation on the Abenaki double curve motif commonly

found on birch bark vessels and splint baskets. This petal design is seen on Micmac

and Penobscot gaming pieces as well as Abenaki made boxes. It is also seen on

Mohegan and Niantic (Southern New England) splint baskets (see DECORATIVE

ART OF INDIAN TRIBES OF CONNECTICUT, p. 21, fi gure 8, a-c). From the same,

Frank Speck writes, the designs “are pre-eminently fl oral, the fi gures being highly con-

ventionalized. The main parts of the blossom are pictured. The corolla of the fl ower

forms the center, surrounded by four petals....” The depicted fl ower is thought to be

the blue gentian, which was used for medicinal purposes.

For an in depth discussion of this vessel, please see, Powers, North American Burl

Treen, pp. 186-187.

L. 6 1/4 in.

$3,000-5,000

Provenance: Harold Corbin, Salisbury, CT.

320

321

321Atlantic White Cedar Burl Bowl

Abenaki, circa 1760-1800

This bowl has a tremendous presence. Typical of Abenaki white cedar burl vessels, it

is proportionally deep, has a delineated fl at bottomed interior and retains large gouge

marks from the hewing process.

Diam. 10 7/8 in.

$2,000-4,000

Provenance: Harold S. Kaufman, San Francisco, CA.


211�(detail)

211�(detail)

322The Thompson Family Seated Human Effi gy Feast Ladle

Algonquian, fi rst half 18th century

This important Delaware region human effi gy feast ladle is very large in scale which

gives it a strong sculptural presence. The bowl is carved exceptionally thin and

the fi gure sitting atop the incurvate crook of the handle has delicate open carving

between the arms and legs. Above the fi gure’s proper right eye is a carved feather

pattern (likely representing a tattoo or headdress). A small cavity is present on the

chest where the heart would be, (it is unclear whether this was carved or incidental

to age). It maintains an extremely desirable dry surface with remarkable patination to

the fi gure.

Provenance: The ladle was found decades ago in the basement of the Alexander

Thompson homestead, in Thompson Ridge, Orange County, New York.

The fi gure seen here is powerfully portrayed. The face is minimally carved with

only the eyes and nose delineated (there is no mouth). This reductive carving is

representative of great Woodlands sculpture; the maker was looking to capture the

essence of the subject—it is not an attempt at portraiture. Similar faces are seen on

pre-contact stone maskettes (please see Willoughby, Antiquities of the New England

Indians. Cambridge: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, 1973, p.163)

and on an important Southern New England ash burl human effi gy bowl (Powers,

North American Burl Treen: Colonial & Native American. Brooklyn, NY, 2005, pps.

100-102).

The full fi gure sits with backside to the ground, knees up and arms forward. The

same seated posture has ancient precedents and is seen on Woodlands works dat-

ing back to at least 50 b.c.-a.d. 250 (Brose, Ancient Art of the American Woodlands

Indians, p. 67). It has also been found on a small sample of ladles and pipes. A smaller

Mohawk ladle (American Museum of Natural History catalogue no. 50.1/1555) col-

lected at the Saint Regis Reservation, Franklin Co., NY displays a similar character

(though seated in the opposite direction). Another related effi gy ladle (private col-

lection), descended within a Herkimer Co., NY family, it too presents a full-seated

fi gure,which faces the bowl.

William Thompson (ca. 1700- ca. 1780) came from England to America in 1729

and settled near Hamptonburgh, Orange Co., NY (THE ORIGINAL HOUSES ON

THOMPSON RIDGE 1778-1822). He later acquired 600 acres and his three sons,

Alexander (1739-1814), Andrew (ca. 1741-1804), and Robert (1742-1832) divided

the property between them. Alexander took the best lot and built a fi ne home and

a working farm. His son, Alexander II (1782-1868) later took over the property and

became one of the areas most successful farmers (Seese, OLD ORANGE HOUSES,

Vol II, 1941, p.85). In 1803, Alexander II married Hannah Bull (1783-1865), a descen-

dant of William Bull (1689-1775) and Sarah Wells (1694-1796), of Hamptonburgh,

Orange Co., NY. Sarah Wells was the daughter of Christopher Denn, who was a

partner of the original Wawayanda Patent. She was also the fi rst permanent settler of

Orange County. The story of Sarah Wells has been written about many times—here

from the New York Times, September 14, 1884, William Bull’s Fortune, “...a sixteen

year old girl [Sarah Wells] trampling in the wilderness where no white man had ever

been before, and not a civilized being lived, with wild men [Indians] as her guides....”

It is not unreasonable to speculate that Wells acquired this ladle as a gift from her

Native guides or in trade through her Indian neighbors—and then it descended

within the Bull/Thompson family line.

Though catalogued as fi rst half 18th century, it is possibly17th century. The carving is

unacculturated and judging from the wear and patination it had years (if not genera-

tions) of ceremonial use before it passed into the hands of the colonial family.

Please see front cover for detail of fi gure.

L. 12 in.

$40,000-80,000


211


323Maple Kneeling Woman Effi gy Ladle

Great Lakes Woodlands (Wyandot), circa 1780-1820

Atypically, the carving is of a woman, as is her presentation. The deep proportion

from the front of the bowl to the back of the handle is dramatic and unusual.

She is quiet and solemnly depicted. As can be seen in the clever way the back hook

becomes her lower legs, she is kneeling. Her hair is exacting and beautifully rendered.

This ladle relates to a Wyandot women effi gy ladle (sold Bonham’s & Butterfi elds,

2004) and scoop (National Museum of the American Indian, cat. No. 14/9600)

H. 6 1/4 in., L. 4 1/2 in., W. 4 in.

$6,000-10,000

323

324 (detail)

Provenance: Wellington Collection

Exhibitions: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1982, in the exhibit “Pleasing the

Spirits”

Illustrated in: Ewing, Douglas, C. PLEASING THE SPIRITS, p. 348, Plate 427.

Powers, Steven, S. North American Burl Treen: Colonial & Native American.

Brooklyn, NY, 2005, p. 172.

324Elm Human Effi gy Ladle

Great Lakes Woodlands (Wyandot), circa 1780-1830

This carving depicting a man’s head and neck is very compelling. The bowl is exceed-

ingly thin and the effi gy is meticulously rendered. The features of the face are subtle

and sensitively carved. Curiously, just one ear is rendered.

This ladle relates to a group of Wyandot human effi gy ladles one being in the collec-

tion of The National Museum of the American Indian and pictured in INDIAN ART

IN NORTH AMERICA, Docstader, pl 237. The character and features of the face are

remarkably similar to the face depicted here.

Most woodlands/Great Lakes objects identifi ed as ladles are actually used as spoons to carry food from large communal bowls to smaller individual ones where they function as personal eating utensils. The majority of these have a backward facing, hook-like projection at the top of the handle. This has two functions; it is a convenient way of holding the ladle as the hook rests on the fi rst fi nger of the user’s hand, the projection also allows the ladle to be placed on the rim of the bowl without falling into the center.

In this beautifully executed example, the backwards projection has been carved into the face of a man with smooth, contemplative features that are echoed by the raised rib that runs down the outside of the ladle, adding strength and elegance to its form.


L. 5 1/4 in.

$5,000-8,000

Literature: Discussed and Illustrated in: Powers, Steven, S. North American Burl

Treen: Colonial & Native American. Brooklyn, NY, 2005, p. 172.

325Maple Scoop with Pierced and Incised Star/Sun Decoration


With a large bowl and a short handle this scoop openwork carved hole is framed by

incised star or sun decoration. Though related to other Woodlands draw scoops, the

architecture of this scoop is unique.

L. 6 5/8 in.

$2,000-5,500

326A Group of Three Related Ladles and a Large Maple Ladle with Pierced Hole and Sun Decoration

Great Lakes, 19th century

Two with similar deeply grooved handles and one with a deeply waisted handled

terminating in a small disc.

The pierced hole ladle, Central Great Lakes Woodlands

The design element here is similar to the large scoop with short handle (lot 325). It

too has an openwork hole with serrated design around perimeter and incised deco-

ration, the long handle here divided with a relief carved bar element.

L. 9 in.; L. 11 3/4 in.

(4)

$1,200-1,800


326325

328 329 (left and center) 330

327

327Abstract Effi gy Ladle and Two Western Cree Maple Ladles

Great Lakes Woodlands, circa 1800-1820

The fi rst, carved from maple. This bold carving is without much precedent in terms

of stylized design and execution. Having a small, deep bowl and a deeply carved

handle with deeply cut “c” shaped hook at the end and vertical concave fi sh-shaped

carving on back of handle. Warm mellow color and surface.

The second two

Each exhibiting similarly delineated bowls and thin handles with a broad wing-like

shaping just above handle’s juncture to the bowl. The larger ladle with vivid tiger

maple in wing-like area: the smaller example with a full circle fl at edge at top of bowl.

(3)

L. 9.5 in. (tallest)

$1,500-2,500

328Ash Burl Bowl with Extensive Remnants of Red Pigment


Deep oval bowl with thin walls and complex surface. The exterior retains traces of

original red paint. Interestingly, at one end of the bowl are what appear to be the

witness marks of three fi ngers in black paint.

L. 17 1/2 in., W. 12 1/2 in., H. 5 in.

$2,500-3,500

329Two Ash Burl Bowls

Hudson River Valley Woodlands, circa 1780

This lot refers to the two bowls on the left side of the corresponding photograph.

The larger bowl has a strong taper to it. It is very thinly hewn and maintains a dry,

almost ashen surface. The interior exhibits a well-defi ned area of usage with a dark

ring half way up and thousands of fi ne utility marks below it. The interior basin is

formed of a continuous curve and does not follow the lines of the exterior fl attened

bottom.

The second is of an unusual, almost rectilinear form with rounded corners and

carved with very deep sides. The exterior displaying a fi ne nutty brown patina and

color.(2)

L. 20 in. (largest)

$1,500-2,500



330Medium Ash Burl Bowl with Shouldered Ends

Eastern Great Lakes, early 19th century

In the form of a handled bowl, but due to its smaller size not needing the utility of

the pierced handles. Proportionally with a deep sweep and a small foot. The under-

side is unexpectedly beautiful with a deep carved into the bottom. Old collection

number “14” on the underside of the bottom.

H. 4 in., L. 11 in., W. 7 3/8 in.

$3,000-6,000


331 332

332

333

335

331Elm Burl Bowl with Shouldered Ends

Eastern Great Lakes, circa 1780

Medium sized bowl with raised shoulders. The specimen of burl, being particularly

dense, has taken on a high polish the exterior.

In 1908, Charles C. Willoughby said, “A Chippewa bowl of elm wood, with side

projections...is an excellent example of native woodworking. The walls are thin and

of uniform thickness, the outlines being unusually graceful.” From “Wooden Bowls Of

The Algonquin Indians,” American Anthropologist, N. S., 10, 1908, p. 431.

Together with a bone scoop (2)

H. 3 1/2 in., L. 10 3/8 in., W. 7 in.

$4,000-6,000

Literature: Illustrated in: Powers, Steven, S. North American Burl Treen: Colonial &

Native American. Brooklyn, NY, 2005, p. 126.

332Three Small Woodlands Vessels

Early 19th century

The fi rst, a Woodlands small handled cup with interior keel appears to be hewn

from maple burl. This small bowl or cup is hewn with a well-balanced form and inte-

rior keel or divided spine to the interior wall near the handle. This keel is part of the

architecture of fi ne Woodlands ladles.

L. 4 in.

The second, a small handled woodlands effi gy dish, possibly the image of a frog hewn

from well-fi gured maple with evidence of carbonization to the bowl

L. 6 1/4 in.

The third, a maple effi gy spoon, possibly the image of a frog. The spoon maintains a

complex surface

See Kenoauctions.com for illustration of effi gy spoon

(3)

L. 4 15/16 in.

$1,500-2,500



333Maple Burl Bowl and Ladle

Iroquois (Seneca), mid 18th century

This bowl is proportionally deep and hewn from an extremely dense specimen of

maple burl. The interior is blackened from carbonization probably caused by heated

stones placed in the piece.

Because of the extreme density of the wood and general handling the surface of

each has taken on a deep burnish and a high polish. There is an old loss to the rim of

the bowl as well as several small cracks from the rim, and an old chip on the edge of

the ladle of the bowl.

(2)

(bowl) H. 4 in., L. 8 7/8 in.

$2,000-4,000

Literature: Illustrated and discussed in: Powers, Steven, S. North American Burl Treen:

Colonial & Native American. Brooklyn, NY, 2005, p. 132.


336

337

334No Lot

335Group of Three Reductive Animal Effi gy Ladles


One of a large abstracted animal or trans-anthropomorphic fi gure with open carving, one of fi gured maple with a

fi nely peaked back and deeply carved grooved open talon, and one a reductive horse.

(3)


$2,500-4,500

336Effi gy Knife with Pig Effi gy and Quilled Sheath

18th century / early 19th century

Though the tradition of effi gy carving is evident through study of the Brams collection, carved knives as such are

quite rare. French made trade blades were put to practice just as were pipe tomahawk blades—the Woodlands

people would haft them and make it their own, with ornamental metal, bead and quill work.

The sheath is composed of deerskin, sinew and dyed porcupine quills and would have had an attachment near

the top to hang around the neck of a warrior. The knife’s handle is carved from a fruitwood in the form of a pigs’

head. Though pigs were sometimes carved in the tradition of the Iroquois false-face, it is rare to see it carved here.

Another rare pig effi gy piece, also in the Brams collection, is the tiny pig effi gy ladle (Lot 337)

Knife L. 9 3/8 in., cover L. 9 1/4 in.

$15,000-30,000

Provenance: Herbert G. Wellington

Exhibitions: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1982, “Pleasing the Spirits”

Literature: Illustrated in: Ewing, Douglas C. Pleasing the Spirits; A Catalogue of a Collection of American Indian Art,

fi g. 124

337Very Diminutive Maple Burl Pig Effi gy Ladle

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands (Iroquois), 2nd half 18th century

The presentation of the effi gy here is atypical, as it has no distinct separation from the stem of the handle. The

effi gy appears to be the head of a pig with ears, snout, and a slightly open mouth.

This is the smallest ladle in the Brams collection and the smallest that we have observed—note should be made of

its scale.

L . 3 1/8 in.

$4,000-8,000

Provenance: DeV ere, Card, Hamilton, N.Y.

Exhibitions: Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute; 1971

Illustrated in: THE USE OF BURL IN AMERICA, DeVere Card, p. 11, Plate III.


340 Very Small Maple Burl Bowl with Raised Ends


Small sized medicine or ceremonial bowl. The shaped raised ends in the subtle out-

line of a reductive Manitou. The whole having evidence of an extensive use history.

The piece exhibits excellent patination and dark color.

H. 3 1/4 in., L. 4 in., W. 3 in.

$3,000-6,000

341Very Small Woodlands Maple Burl Oval Dish with Beaded Rim

late 18th/early 19th century

A fi ne example with a well defi ned shallow basin and beaded rim. Complex surface

on rim and interior.

H: 1 1/2 in., L. 4 1/4 in., W. 3 3/8 in.

$1,000-2,000

Provenance: Herbert Wellington Collection

338Small Elm Burl Bowl with Shouldered Ends

Eastern Great Lakes, late 18th century

Quietly sophisticat ed form with deep proportions and the raised shouldered ends

each with a subtle beaded edge to aid in handling the bowl.

Interior maintains a highly complex-carbonized surface.

H. 2 7/8 in., L. 8 in., W. 6 in.

$3,000-5,000

339Small Maple Burl Bowl with Reductive Manitou

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, late 18th century

Small-medium sized medicine or ceremonial bowl. The shaped raised ends in the

outline of a horned Manitou.

The bowl has evidence of an extensive use history and excellent patination with dark

color. The interior and one end of the exterior are darkened from exposure to heat.

H. 2 1/2 in., L. 6 1/2 in., W. 5 1/4 in.

$4,000-6,000

338 339

340 341


342Five Ladles with Reductive Manitou and Bird Features, two with 19th Century Labels

Great Lakes, fi rst half, 19th century

Two with incised Manitou eyes, one with a deeply grooved talon, one plain ladle with an old printed label, and a reductive thunder bird ladle worn from the repetitive use of a left hander, with early hand written label, “75 years old - year of 1909 - Made by an Indian whose name was Tutmosmaw.” (5)

L. 9 in. (tallest)

$2,000-3,000

343A Group of Seven Ladles and One Crooked Knife

Great Lakes Woodlands and Abenaki, circa 1780-1870

The ladles containing a few reductive Manitou effi gy examples, two birds and two

abstract examples.

The crooked knife carved with a large disc terminal, which relates to two of the ladles. (8)

ladle L. 10 3/4 in. (tallest); knife L. 11 5/8 in.

$1,200-1,800

344Three Ladles and One Dipper

Great Lakes Woodlands, 18th/19th century

Comprising of an early Eastern Great Lakes ladle with large demilune shaped opening in handle, a large Central-Western Great Lakes ladle with a shaped lead wrap, a ladle with an openwork demilune shaped notch, and a large dipper. (4)

L. 11 in. (tallest)

$800-1,200

345Small Medicine Ladle with Stepped Sides

Circa 1780

The small scale of this piece should be noted. The ladle is masterfully rendered with

a deliberate vision. (The top crescent may represent a quahog shell from which

wampum was made-the Onondaga were the keepers of the wampum. Or it may also

represent the head of a Manitou.) The handle has stepped sides.

The crescent on top is similar to a Seneca ladle in the collection at the American

Museum of Natural History (cat.# 50.1/1519).

L. 4 1/4 in.

$2,000-4,000



343342

345344 344 344

22 Additional Information and Condition Reports at Kenoauctions.com

346 (detail)

(Cat. #A240915-0) Department of Anthropology, Smithsonian Institution

346Figured Maple Lynx/Bobcat Effi gy Ladle

Great Lakes, circa 1780

Looking head on at this powerful sculpture, one should take note of the outline

formed by the top of the head and the ears (please see back cover of present cata-

logue) This outline in full or in part can be seen on several important effi gies bowls

and ladles as the basis for the Manitou effi gy. A related panther sculpture (dating

from A.D. 1000-1500) illustrating this upper head outline is in the collection of the

Smithsonian Institution (#240915). (Please see illustration below)

The lynx ladle seen herein is the only known example of its kind. The airy open carv-

ing between the animals front legs and body and the commanding posture it displays

is remarkable. The quality and sculptural quality of the piece is compelling and engag-

ing. It is interesting to note that the posture seen here is strikingly similar to that of

the Thompson Family human effi gy ladle (Lot 322).

Central to Woodlands mythology was the Manitou known as the Mishipizheu, or the

Underwater Panther. This spirit creature was a powerful mix of a wild cat or lynx,

serpent and horned bison and/or deer. Sculptural and pictorial depictions of this

being extend back to the Mississippian Culture (800 - 1500).

Within the Brams collection one will see several ladles and bowls with diagnostic

elements that represent this creature. This is one of the most important examples

known. The surface color and patina are extremely desirable.

Out of context and without this aid the meaning of this form or reductive variations

of it are hard to determine as anything meaningful. It may be argued that even within

the Woodlands culture of the late 19th century the true meaning of these elements

might have been lost to some of the carvers, cut they continued to include them

into their crafts as they had already been deeply imbedded as part of their sculptural

vernacular.

The artist who conceived and carved this ladle expressed a sense of movement and action unusual in a piece with only one fi gure. The large feline predator is shown climbing the handle of the ladle as if it were the trunk of a tree. It is perched there looking out over the landscape, on the alert for its prey and its next meal. As such it is a symbol of watchfulness, stealth, strength, and the potential for action, all of which are essential functions of the male hunter or warrior.


L. 7 7/8 in.

$30,000-50,000

Additional Information and Condition Reports at Kenoauctions.com 23

�235


348Large Ash Burl Bowl with Shouldered Ends and Recessed Handles

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, circa 1780-1820

A large bowl hewn thin from a magnifi cent burl specimen. The execution of the shouldered

oval with cut-in recessed handles is extremely well done. As with many Woodlands carv-

ings, the artisan honored the burl and left the natural inclusions untouched and unfi lled. The

underside of bottom is slightly concave.

The color and the surface integrity are exceptional.

H. 5 1/2 in., L. 20 1/2 in., W. 15 1/4 in.

$6,000-9,000

347

348

347Ash Burl Bowl with High Shouldered Ends and a Maple Bowl with Single Sided Shoulder or Castellation

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands and Central Great Lakes, late 18th century

The fi rst, a large ash burl bowl being the earlier of the two has a dynamic sweep between

the high ends and low sides, of excellent fi gure and surface, however with loss in the bot-

tom.

Central Great Lakes, circa 1800

The second, of maple and circular in form with one wide raised shoulder.

L. 17 3/8 in., W. 13 3/8 in. (larger); H. 3 5/8 in., Diam. 13 3/8 in. (smaller)

(2)

$3,000-6,000


349 (burl tray is not pictured)

350

351

352

349Small Ash Burl Tray and Oval Elm Burl Bowl

Both from Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, circa 1800

Flat trays or dishes are a rare form in North American burl. This example is hewn

from a tight burl specimen.

L. 5 11/16 in., W. 4 1/4 in.

The second is a medium sized bowl thinly hewn from well-fi gured elm burl. Early

pencil script is on the bottom (illegible).

L. 7 in., W. 5 3/4 in. (2)

See Kenoauctions.com for illustration

$1,500-2,500

351Oval Ash Burl Bowl with Tapered Sides on a Raised Foot


Atypical form, very thinly hewn. Great surface with carbonized rim. Collection label

from 1985 reads, “Finest American burl bowl I’ve ever seen - Extremely fi ne oblong

burl bowl - very early -original - carved and burned out hollow.” h. 9 1/4 in., w. 6 in.

$2,500-4,500

350Group of Seven Maple and Ash Burl Bowls


An assembled graduated stack of bowls, containing four small tapered bowls (the larger ex. Lillian Cogan), and three medium sized hewn round bowls. (7) diam. 9 (largest)

(7)

$3,000-5,000

The large bowl in rear right of photo is not included in the lot.

352Reductive Bird Form Net Float

Northwest Coast, fi rst half, 19th century

With well oxidized color and darkened surface from black pigment and grime drip-

pings. The weathered surface is from exposure to the elements.

H. 8 in., L. 12 1/2 in.

$1,200-1,800


353

354 355

353Maple Bird Effi gy Ladle

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands (Iroquois), 1750-1785

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

-Leonardo Da Vinci

This is a great example to show how sublime an object can be when

all the right things align: design, execution and surface. The well-

balanced large bowl and very thin handle lead into an ever so slightly

crooked perch upon which a beautifully sculpted bird sits. The whole

maintains a complex, dark and rich patina.

H. 8 1/2 in., L. 7 1/2 in., W. 5 1/4 in.

$4,000-8,000

354Thunder Bird Effi gy Ladle


Strong form with a very Modern feel--the whole thinly hewn and

blackened with heavily carbonized smoke. Tool marks evident on top

of bird’s head.

L. 7 1/8 in.

$2,000-4,000

355Bird of Prey Effi gy Ladle

Eastern-Central Great Lakes Woodlands, circa 1820-1840

With a large, highly stylized, bird of prey atop a wide thinly hewn hale

and bowl. Dark Surface blackened with heavily carbonized smoke.

Retaining an old collection label on the back, “#388 - Winnebago -

Maple Sugar Spoon

L. 8 9/16 in.

$1,500-2,500


356

359

357 (detail) 358

359A Group of Four Bird and Reductive Bird Effi gy Ladles

Eastern-Western Great Lakes Woodlands, circa 1740-1840

The fi rst, possibly a grouse with a complex early surface, the next of abstracted form,

another, in maple, of a fully rendered bird with tiger maple upper handle (probably

Cree), and another of a reductive thunder bird.

(4)


$1,500-2,500

356Large Effi gy Ladle with Bird of Prey and Incised Carved Handle

Eastern-Central Great Lakes Woodlands, late 18th/early 19th century

Well balanced ladle with a large, very thin carved bowl with incised carving up the

handle that leads to small effi gy of a bird of prey. The bird with openwork carving

around its beak, body and perch.

The incised carving on the handle is reminiscent of designs on Eastern-Central Great

Lakes textiles.

L. 8 11/16 in.

$4,000-6,000

357Rare Raptor Effi gy Pipe Tamp

Circa 1870

Small scale sculpture in the manner of an effi gy ladle, but on a Plains Indian pipe

tamp. The scale of the bird in relation to the tamp gives it a strong presence.

L. 12 3/4 in.

$2,000-4,000

358Reductive Thunder Bird Effi gy Ladle

Eastern Great Lake Woodlands, circa 1800

A deceptively simple effi gy ladle with the sleek head of a thunder bird incorporated

into the short handle. The whole is masterfully executed with a thin bowl, the bowl

leading straight into the handle within the same curve. The carving is quite modern in

feeling and has a slight Art Deco feel to it.

L. 6 5/8 in.

$2,000-4,000


60 (detail)

25/ 25/

360Dog Effi gy Ladle

Mesquakie Settlement, circa 1865-1885

A striking ladle with a large well-rendered dog carved with ears and teeth within a

partially opened mouth. White glass trade bead eyes with brass tacks. The large bowl

carved fi nely and is thin, the handle with subtle keel to the back extending to the

back of the bowl.

Possibly carved by John Young Bear’s father or grandfather. Young Bear comes from

a family of fi ne Mesquakie carvers. A superb heddle by John Young Bear is in the col-

lection of the Detroit Institute of Arts. (81. 369)

The Mesquakie people have lived on their tribal lands in Tama, Iowa, since the 1830’s. They are known for their fi nely made beadwork and their carved wooden objects used in ceremonies and feasts. As with all styles of Woodlands/Great Lakes effi gies, most Mesquakie fi gures are iconic images that refer to the whole class of an animal type by presenting the typical, formal, qualities that defi ne the subject being depicted.

This dog effi gy is a unique exception in that it clearly represents a particular animal. With careful renditions of anatomical details like the open mouth, the bright staring eyes, and the ears that stand up at attention, this canine is clearly a portrait of the owner’s favorite companion who participated in the hunt and protected the family.


L. 9 1/2 in.

$12,000-18,000

Provenance: By descent through the family of John Young bear, Mesquakie

Settelment, Iowa

Personal Correspondence: Gaylord Torrence, An Important Figural Ladle from the

Mesquakie Settlement, June 2006

Gaylord Torrence, Kansas City, Mo

Ned Jalbert


362

361

363

361Burl Dog Effi gy Ladle

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, 1780-1840

Though the dog was an important animal to the Woodlands people, dog effi gies on

ladles are quite uncommon. The character of the dog is well captured with a slightly

cocked head, protrusions for ears, incised snout, and well rendered jowls.

The bowl is proportionally small to the size of the handle and was likely once much

larger, having been reshaped during its time of use.

Surface maintains a rich patina from use.

L. 9 in.

$3,000-5,000

362Two Dog Effi gy Ladles

The fi rst, Eastern Woodlands, possibly Northeast Coast near Maine/Eastern Canada,

circa 2nd half 18th century

Early ladle with a dog head effi gy including eyes carved from the short handle of a

large ladle or scoop-a large openwork circular hole is carved at the back of the scoop

near where it meets the handle.

L. 10 3/4 inches

The second, Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, circa 1800

Carved from a dense specimen of maple, this ladle has a reductive dog’s head carved

with details such as eyes and mouth, with a concave grove at the top of the head.

L. 10 1/2 in. (2)

$2,000-4,000

363An Assorted Group of Nine Hewn and Turned Ash and Elm Burl Bowls

American Woodlands, circa 1780-1860

Of varied size, color and surfaces, forming an irregular stack.

(9)

H. 3 3/4 in., W. 8 13/16 in. (largest)

$1,500-2,500


364Reductive Elm Effi gy Ladle

Great Lakes (Potawatomi), second half, 18th century

Though the meaning of this enigmatic effi gy is unknown to us-its form imparts a

message of signifi cant power. Brams has hypothesized that the form is a reductively

blocked interpretation of a bird of prey.

Warm mellow patina with a dry bowl and a well patinated handle from hand use.

L. 7 in.

$10,000-15,000

Provenance: Ted Trotta & Anna Bono, Shrub Oak, NY

Literature: Illustrated in: Powers, Steven S. North American Burl Treen: Colonial &

Native American. Brooklyn, N. Y., 2005, p.164.

253 364 (detail)


254

365Maple Burl Effi gy Bowl

Sauk-Fox/Mesquikie, circa 1820

A bowl of startling quality. It is wafer thin with sophisticated lines and excellent color

and surface.

The effi gy here is an interpretation of a Manitou. The form is dynamic and almost

animate in nature, its arms or wings outstretched taking one into the belly of the

bowl. The head has a curious partially carved point to the center (it is not a hole,

stopping at 1/16” or so). It may represent the being’s eye or serve as a directional

device.

H. 4 in., D. 13 1/8 in.

$30,000-60,000

Provenance: Loras College, Dubuque, IA

Mr. & Mrs. Larry Frank, Arroyo Hondo, NM

Illustrated in: ART OF THE RED EARTH PEOPLE: THE MESQUAKIE OF IOWA,

plate 125.

Powers, Steven S., North American Burl Treen: Colonial & Native American. Brooklyn,

NY 2005. p. 118


366Burl Effi gy Feast Bowl

Western Great Lakes / Prairie, fi rst half, 19th century

The line quality of this bowl is graceful and rhythmic. The elegant castellated sides

depict two opposing Manitou in reductive terms. Possibly the fi nest regional example

extant. Probably Western Great Lakes/Prairie, Sauk-Fox/Mesquakie, circa 1820

255

Bowls with similar effi gies on opposite sides of the rim were made as early as the 17th century. The head, neck, and shoulders of these anthropomorphized spirit fi gures are completed by the rim, which serves as a symbol of their out-stretched arms. By placing the fi gures on each end of the bowl the artist cre-ates a sense of dialogue between the two sacred elements.


H. 5 1/8 in.; L. 15 7/8 in.

$25,000-50,000

Provenance: John Painter Collection

Literature: Illustrated in: A Window on the Past, Vol. II, 2003, p. 939


367

368

367Hudson River Valley Maple Burl Otter Cup

Probably Hudson River Valley, fi rst half 18th century (or earlier)

This Important handled cup is compelling. The execution of the cup’s handle in

the form of an otter is thoughtfully and successfully executed. As with all great

Woodlands carving “less is more” and the essence of the effi gy is conveyed with

minimal detail.

This cup appears to relate to two other cups of similar design. One pictured in “ The

Iroquois: A Study in Cultural Evolution” by Frank Gouldsmith Speck, p. 83, is also

carved from maple burl and has an open worked handle. The effi gy on the Speck

cup is hard to identify but is decisively zoomorphic in nature.

The other related example is in the Heye Collection of the National Museum of the

American Indian and the outlines of the cup and the handle are similar to this one

yet the handle lacks an effi gy. Documentation from the Heye notes the cup’s origin

as Scaticook of the Mahican tribes of the Hudson River Valley of New York and

Connecticut.

The openwork and the fl atness of the carving is reminiscent of carvings seen on 17th

century Iroquoian antler combs and relates to the Brams Collection important wolf

effi gy scoop (lot 368)

H. 4 1/4 in., L. 7 1/4 in., Diam. 5 3/16 in.

$10,000-15,000

Provenance: Charles de Volpi, Quebec, ONT



368Elm Burl Wolf Effi gy Scoop

Iroquois (Seneca), fi rst half 18th century (or earlier)

The fi neness of this carving is exceptional and its execution is nothing short of mas-

terful. The bowl of the scoop is uniformly carved to just 1/16 of an inch.

The effi gy is seen by following the rounded terminal of the handle, which is its

muzzle, then the eye ridge and then ears, followed by a slightly arched back and into

the tail (the thumb stop).

The open worked handle and ingenious thumb stop make it very comfortable in

hand. As is evidenced from the smooth wear around the chips to the bowl and the

fi ne patina, this scoop saw much use and despite the thinness of the bowl, it held up!

The wolf effi gy is slightly abstracted and relates to depictions of wolves as seen on

17th century Seneca antler combs (related renderings are seen on excavated exam-

ples at the Rochester Museum and Science Center).

The positioning and style of this effi gy carving relates to the important otter effi gy

cup in the Brams collection (lot 367).

L. 11 in.

$6,000-9,000




371Burl Bowl with Pierced Castellated Tab

Central-Western Great Lakes Woodlands (Sauk-Fox or Mesquakie), 18th century

Round shallow form with castellated tab handle with pierced hole in the center.

Complex dark surface. Wood is a wide-open grain similar to elm, but is possibly

Osage Orange. Old collection numbers on the bottom.

Together with a related bowl with remains of a pierced raised tabbed handle.

(2)

H. 4 in., Diam. 13 1/2 in.

$4,000-8,000

Provenance: Freeman’s Auction, Philadelphia, PA mid-1980’s

Other Notes: Collector’s number 1073 in black ink on bottom.

369Medium Ash Burl Bowl


A simple bowl of exceptional form and surface. Called, “the perfect bowl” by both

Brams and Powers, this wide, shallow, round bowl is very thinly hewn and has a

complex surface.

H. 2 1/2 in., Diam. 8 1/2 in.

$4,000-8,000

370Massive Iroquois Ash Burl Bowl with Recessed Handles

Probably Mohawk, second half of 18th century

Hewn from an extraordinary specimen of wood. This massive yet graceful double

handled oval bowl has a vast body, which is supported by a well-balanced recessed

foot that gives the piece an elegant lift.

L. 27 1/2 in., W.17 3/4 in., H. 8 1/4 in.

$10,000-15,000

Provenance: Provenance: acquired in 1962 from a Vrooman descendent directly from

the Vrooman homestead in Schoharie, NY; private NY collection.

369

370

371

371


372Maple Beaver Effi gy Ladle

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, circa 1760 (or earlier)

Beaver in upright position with arms and paws to its mouth eating; this carving is

powerful sculpture. The fi ne incised horizontal reed (platform) delineates the handle

from the platform. As with most successful Woodlands carvings, the carving is not

overly detailed but reduced to the essence. An important example.

L. 5 3/4 in.

$10,000-15,000



373Large Reductive Beaver Effi gy Ladle


Fine ladle of simplifi ed form with a large highly reductive beaver effi gy.

L. 11 1/2 in.

$1,200-1,800

374Two Reductive Beaver Effi gy Ladles, and One Reductive Bird Effi gy Ladle


The two large reductive ladles each relating to the other reductive and more devel-

oped beaver ladles in the Brams collection, the bird of good form, thinly hewn-nice

example.

(3)


$1,000-2,000

372

373 375374

375Reductive Beaver Effi gy Ladle

Eastern Maple Great Lakes Woodlands

The arcs of the body and tail make for a strong form. The architecture of the overall

ladle is particularly elegant. The bowl is burl and the handle a curly grain. The ladle is

thinly carved and exhibits an ideal surface of a dry bowl with good edge wear and a

well polished and patinated handle and effi gy.

H. 10 in., W. 5 3/8 in., D. 4 1/2 in.

$1,200-2,200




376

377

376 back view

377 back view

376Beaver Effi gy Ladle with Tail

Hudson River Valley Woodlands, circa fi rst half 18th century (or earlier)

This ladle relates to another early beaver effi gy ladle in the Brams collection

(Mohawk ladle with large scale beaver effi gy and tail on four tiered frieze). The bea-

ver effi gy here however is carved more sleekly and occupies the full handle, and it

too has a tail running down the backside of the handle. The bowl proportionally large

bowl is hewn very fi ne and thin. The whole has an exceptional surface.

Purportedly the initials, “I B” stand for John Bull (1721-1807) of Hampontonburgh,

Orange County, NY, who was the son of William Bull and Sarah Wells (see lot 322,

the Thompson family Human effi gy ladle, for more information). Bull likely acquired

the ladle in trade or as a gift. This is the only early ladle we have seen with branded

initials.

L. 7 5/8 in.

$6,000-9,000

377Beaver Effi gy Ladle with Large Frieze and Tail

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands (Mohawk, Iroquois), circa fi rst half 18th century

(or earlier)

This exceptionally strong ladle has a dramatically large-scale beaver atop a four-tiered

frieze with a well-defi ned tail running down the backside. It is very rare.

The scale of the effi gy in relation to the handle and bowl as well as the angle rela-

tionship of the bowl to handle is diagnostic of early-mid 17th century ladles (Prisch,

Aspects of Change in Seneca Iroquois Ladles AD 1600-1900, 1982). This is quite

possibly one of the earliest, non-excavated ladles extant.

Provenance: Originally purchased from a Poughkeepsie, NY auction in 1971.

L. 7 1/4 in.

$6,000-9,000


378

379 380379

378Elm Beaver Effi gy Ladle


This otter effi gy gains its strength sculpturally from the seamless deep sweep off the

handle, up its body, and into the plane of its raised arms. Open carving between the

animals’ arms and head. Fine warm surface with edge wear from use, including chip

on left shoulder.

L. 9 1/8 in.

$6,000-9,000

Provenance: Andy Warhol Collection, lot 2514, Sotheby’s New York, 1988.

379Two Maple Reductive Beaver Effi gy Ladles

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, fi rst half 19th century

A very small ladle with a rich, highly complex dark surface, a thinly carved bowl and a

highly reductive beaver effi gy. The second, a ladle with a rich, highly complex surface

with a highly reductive beaver effi gy with delineated tail extending down the back.

(2)

The fi rst: L. 3 7/8 in.; the second: L. 7 in.

$1,500-2,500

380Very Diminutive Maple Burl Reductive Beaver Effi gy Ladle


Without the aid of reference to other beaver ladles in the Brams collection, it may

be diffi cult to interpret this ladle. However, the abstract carving seen here is clearly

a reductive interpretation of a beaver. The chip carved border that separates the

handle and the carving is a fi ne and rare detail. The bowl is carved remarkably thin.

Special note should be made of the rare small size of this ladle.

L. 3 1/8 in.

$4,000-6,000




381

382 383

381

Otter Effi gy Ladle


A well-rendered openwork carved full bodied otter atop a platform with head

turned around. Ladle displays an excellent use history. Please note how the wear to

the right side of the handle has occured over time from use and made it more ergo-

nomic for daily use.

L. 10 1/2 in.

$4,000-8,000

Provenance: John Painter Collection

382

Otter Effi gy Ladle


The sideways orientation of this ladle is atypical. The otter is subtly rendered with an

ever so slender tail coming over the top of the handle and a sleek body joined with

its front legs which are joined to the back of the handle-the openwork around the

body creating an area to attach a thong.

Hewn from a choice specimen of tiger maple and blackened with heavily carbonized

smoke.

L. 5 11/16 in.

$4,000-6,000

383

Two Effi gy Ladles


The fi rst, an abstract fi gured maple effi gy ladle, likely in the form of two otters play-

ing. A nearly identical example (though without the chip carved detail) is in the

collection of Winterthur and pictured in Treasury of American Design and Antiques,

Hornung, p.478, fi g.1689.

The second, an abstract effi gy ladle (possibly in the form of a Manitou). The shaped

end carved in a simple, but engaging manner.

(2)

L . 9 11/16 in. (tallest)

$1,500-2,500

Provenance: For the second ladle, Andy Warhol Collection, Sotheby’s New York,

1988, Lot 2514


384

386 (pigment decorated bowl pictured)

385

387 387

384

Fissured Maple Gaming Dish

Early 19th century

Bowls (Gä-jih) as such were used for a traditional Woodlands game involving peach

pits (Gus-ka-eh). Of the few gaming bowls or dishes known, most have breaks with

early repairs, as a rule of the game was to slam the bowl upon a blanket to bounce

the peach pits.

A gaming dish of near identical form (also with breaks and repairs) is in the collec-

tion of the Smithsonian Institution, no. 81-2619. Another is illustrated in Lewis H.

Morgan on Iroquois Material Culture, Tooker, p. 193-this source also describes in full

the nature of game within the culture.

H. 2 3/4 in., W. 10 in.

$3,000-6,000

385

Extremely Diminutive Bundled Dish with Gaming Pieces

Possibly Ojibwa, fi rst half 19th century

Exceptionally small bowl with a well defi ned broad rim and a superbly carved base.

Together with a set of bone and shell buttons or gaming pieces-each with or without

red-pink color and incised markings.

Bundle bowls complete with gaming pieces are extremely rare.

A set of similar gaming pieces (Gus-ga-e-sa-tä) are illustrated in Lewis H. Morgan on

Iroquois Material Culture, Tooker, p. 192-this source also describes in full the nature

of game within the culture.

H. 1 7/8 in., W. 2 in.

$1,500-3,000

Provenance: Gaylord Torrence, Kansas City, MO

386

Two Round Bowls

The fi rst, Plains, 19th century, the deep bowl with beveled lower sides and well

defi ned foot. The exterior decorated with a red earth and black pigment. The sec-

ond small hewn ash burl bowl with broad rim, Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands,

1800-1825, thickly hewn with broad band comprising rim, possibly used as a gaming

dish.

(2)

Diam. 5 5/8 in.

See Kenoauctions.com for illustration of second bowl

$1,500-2,500

387

Iroquois Ash Burl Handled Burl Bowl and Related Ladle

18th century

The bowl even in its decimated condition – missing the handle and part of the upper

walls of the bowl on one end is in the form of a very early bowl – with high peaked

open demilune cut handles. The ladle displays a similar dry surface. The handle has a

chamfered neck.

(2)

Ladle L. 10 3/4 in. Bowl L. 16 1/2 in.

$2,000-3,000


391 392

388

389 (one bowl pictured) 390 (bowl with incised fi sh pictured)

388

Double Handled Elm Burl Bowl

Iroquois, 18th century

This bowl exhibits a graceful undulating rim which adds movement and interest to

the form. The rim of a typical Iroquoian double handled bowl dips down in between

the valley of the handles; here it sweeps upward.

H. 8 1/2 in., W. 18 1/2 in., L. 22 1/2 in.

$10,000-15,000

Provenance: Private, NY collection since 1958

389

Three Small Burl Bowls

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, 18th/fi rst half 19th cenury

The fi rst a tiny hewn elm burl bowl. This bowl is the smallest in the Brams collection

and was also the smallest in DeVere Card’s extensive collection. It is the likely the

smallest Woodlands bowl extant. (see photo above)

H. 1 1/16 in., L. 3 15/16 in.

The second is a very small, very thin maple burl bowl of irregular form with one wall

more straight than the others-having a tiny pierced hole near the rim (possibly for a

threaded thong).

The third is a small round ash burl bowl (exhibiting the tangential grain) of fi ne form

and surface.

(3)

For illustrations of all three bowls, please go to www. kenoauctions.com

$1,500-3,000

Provenance: DeVere Card, Hamilton, NY

Exhibitions: Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute; 1971

Illustrated in: (the small elm bowl) Powers, Steven, S. North American Burl Treen:

Colonial & Native American. Brooklyn, NY, 2005, p. 138.

Card, DeVere, THE USE OF BURL IN AMERICA, p. 19, Plate XVIII.


393

394

390

Three Small Bowls

Great Lakes Woodlands, 18th/19th century

One small ash burl bowl with incised fi sh on the interior bottom, one early 18th c.

example with excellent surface and one elm burl, example of 19th century.

(3)

See Kenoauctions.com for illustration of all bowls

$500-1,000

391

Ash Burl Round Bowl with Deep Sides

Woodlands, probably New England., late-18th or early-19th century

A very fi ne bowl exhibiting a superb surface-a nutty brown, well patinated exterior

and a well-variegated dry interior with exceptional use history.

Diam. 13 7/6 in.

$2,000-4,000

392

Ash Burl Bowl


This may be the most heavily lacerated bowl that we have seen in terms of usage; it

literally has thousands of knife marks to the interior basin and walls. These lacerations

are years old and create a most beautiful and sublime interior surface. One really gets

a sense of the life that this bowl led. It is proportionally deep and has a slight bean

shape.

Provenance: Bowl was purchased from a barn in Seawall, Ontario.

L. 13 5/8 in., W. 10 3/8 in., H. 4 3/8 in.

$2,000-3,000



393

Ash Burl Woodcock Effi gy Ladle


This fi ne example has very sophisticated lines and transitional planes which are core

to Woodlands sculpture. Note the subtle transitions between the bowl, to the

handle, to the beak of the woodcock-all follow the same gently carved line.

Open work on ladles is uncommon; on burl ladles it is even more so because of the

unpredictable grain structure. The unpredictability is noted in the void on the upper

part of the bowl. This recess is part of the natural burl and not loss from a break.

L. 7 1/4 in.

$10,000-15,000

394

Human Effi gy Ladle

Eastern Great Lakes, 18th / early 19th century

Carved from maple this, early example probably depicts a Woodlands native in pro-

fi le with coxcomb or braided hair.

Compositionally from a formal point of view please note how the relief (positive)

carved nubs of the reductive shoulders/arms balance the thong hole (negative space)

within the center of the head.

L. 6 1/2 in.

$6,000-9,000


395

396397

398

399

395

Headless Human Effi gy Ladle Sitting on

Stylistic Chair

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands,

second half 18th century

This is an elegant and rare ladle despite the losses

to the effi gy. A lanky headless fi gure sits on a highly

stylized “chair.” The “chair” may represent a chair, a

tree stump, or a large hand. The whole is simply and

beautifully rendered and has a modern feel to it (the

fi gure like the sculptor Elie Nadelman and the chair by

a modernist such as Gerrit T. Rietveld) The buttress

supporting the platform upon which the fi gure sits is

also unique.

H. 8 3/4 in., L. 7 3/4 in., W. 4 in.

$4,000-8,000

396

Human Effi gy Pipe

Eastern Great Lakes, fi rst half 19th century

The whole carved from maple with a large human

fi gure with turned head holding the pipe bowl. The

whole carbonized (blackened) from use, maintaining a

fi rst rate surface.

L. 3 1/2 in.

$1,500-2,500

397

Carved Pipe with Seated Figures

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, 19th century

A complex carving depicting a white-man making an

advance on a native woman (or visa versa) - she push-

ing and resisting. Given the period of the carving, the

subject likely had a greater meaning as well perhaps

that one should resist and fi ght the advances of all

white-men.

L. 4 in.

$1,500-2,500

398

Two Maple Ladles with Human Head Effi gies

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, 1820-1840

The smaller example with the simplistic head including

incised ears, delineated from the swept-back handle

and the larger with a large head, worn with minimal

features, the heel carved with stamp containing an

incised cross pattern within an oval. This pattern is

seen on a bird ladle formerly in the Brams collection

and one in the collection of the American Museum of

Natural History (cat #50.1/ 1545, collected by Tefft,

Erastus, 1910.)

(2)


$1,200-1,800

399

Five Ladles

Great Lakes Woodlands, 18th / 19th century

Four small examples of varied form together with a

larger, well fi gured ash ladle of reductive human form.

This ladle appears to relate to a bowl in the collection

of the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research

Center (#986-Bwo-27) and pictured on the cover of,

Gifts of the Forest, 2000.

(5)


$400-800


400

Dakota Blackfeet Maple Burl Bowl

First half 19th century

The Blackfoot native Black Hawk fought in the battle

against Lt. Colonel George Custer at the Battle of

Little Big Horn in 1876. He suffered a wound to the

head, survived and took on the name Wounded Head

(Nata-Opi). Wounded Head was also a signer of the

treaty at Standing Rock Agency, Dakota, October 11,

1876.

Early 20th century tag attached to bowl.

H. 3 3/8 in., L. 7 1/2 in., W. 7 1/4 in.

$2,500-4,500

401

Three Woodlands Belt Cups

19th century

The fi rst

Chip carved open handle and interrupted band, prob-

ably Maine or Eastern Canada. Likely made for per-

sonal use rather than trade.

The second

With chip carved border and carved foliate, heart, and

cornucopia motifs, probably Maine or Eastern Canada

The third

With an open slotted handle and likely carved for per-

sonal use rather than for trade

(3)

L. 7 in.; 4 2/8 in.; 4 3/4 in.

$800-1,200

400

401

403402

402 402

402

Two Bowls and a Burl Cup

The fi rst, a diminutive oblong shaped Sycamore footed

bowl


Deep dish of elongated form-possibly used as a medi-

cine bowl-possibly part of a Midé bundle.

H. 1 3/4 in., L. 4 1/4 in., W. 2 1/4 in.

The second, a small elm burl bowl with peaked end

(boat form) Eastern Great Lakes, 1790-1830

Small bowl with fi ne balance thin sides and a strong,

ovoid shape coming to a peak at one side. Likely a

medicine bowl; uncommon.

H. 1 1/2 in., L. 4 in., W. 2 1/2 in.

The third, a burl cup, Western Great Lakes,

circa 1800-1820

A well-hewn cup with sharp and strong faceted planes

to the exterior. The interior is smooth and follows the

conical shape of the exterior. It fi ts very comfortably

and ergonomically into one’s hand. The exterior is

blackened and worn through on the high points. The

nature of the burl is very tight and complex, however

the species is undetermined. The black on the exterior

is possibly pigment.

H. 2 1/4 in., W. 4 1/4 in., D. 3 5/8 in.

(3)

$1,500-2,500

Provenance: Burl cup found in Minnesota

403

A Sycamore Oval Bowl

Central Great Lakes Woodlands, Potawatomie, circa

1800

Deeply proportioned bowl with a beaded edge.

Warm mellow, highly oxidized surface. With an early

label, “Pottawatomie Made From Sycamore.”

H. 3 in., L. 6 1/2 in.

$2,000-4,000


406

Ash Owl Effi gy Ladle


late 18th / early 19th century

Small fi gured ash burl ladle well executed with a

balanced bowl leading to a handle with beaded perch

upon which the owl sits.

L. 5 3/8 in.

$3,000-6,000

407

Owl Effi gy Ladle

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, fi rst half, 19th century

Well-balanced example with the owl divided between

the front and the back, the straight handle strongly

tapering into the owls belly. Very oblong bowl.

L. 4 1/2 in.

$1,500-2,500

404

Maple Reductive Owl Effi gy Ladle

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, late 18th century

Another ladle exemplifying the importance of the ladle

library that Brams developed. Without the aid of the

other owl effi gy ladles, it would hard to “see” the owl

here. Beautifully rendered with a proportionally large

and thin hewn bowl and handle. The ‘tiger’ fi guring is

exceptional.

L. 6 1/2 in.

$3,000-6,000

405

Snow Owl Effi gy Ladle

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, 18th century

Ladle with the early architecture of a wide, shallow

bowl, the handle with delineated perch upon which

the owl effi gy sits. Reductive body with a serrated face

simulating the look of feathers on a snow owl’s face.

L. 4 1/4 in.

$3,000-6,000

404 405

406 407

408

Large Ash Burl Bird Effi gy Ladle


Second half 18th century

Large bird-of-prey commands its position atop a

slightly delineated perch-the bowl is refi ned and broad

at the same time-being a little heavier than typical. The

whole with a dark, richly patinated surface.

L. 8 3/8 in.

$3,000-5,000

Literature: Illustrated in: Powers, Steve, S. North

American Burl Treen: Colonial & Native American.

Brooklyn, NY, 2005, p. 169.

409

Ash Burl Large Handled Bowl/Scoop in the

Form of Bird

Eastern Great Lakes, late 18th / early 19th century

Well fi gured ash burl bowl with canted sides with long

handle terminating in a bird’s head (possibly a heron) , the

head slightly cocked. While most Woodlands effi gy

ladles and bowls isolate the effi gy carving, the effi gy in

this instance is seen within the entire form. The head

leads to the long neck (handle) and into the

bowl -shaped body.

L. 13 in.

$4,000-6,000

410

Two Carved Woodlands Canes

First-half 19th century

The fi rst, with Otter Paw Holding a Clam Shell.

The otter and clam are meaningful symbols in the

Woodlands culture. The otter is seen sculpturally por-

trayed on effi gy ladles and clams were used for food

and shells themselves were often as spoons. The shell

was of course also used to make wampum.

L. 36 in.

The second, carved cane with fi st, Northeast

Woodlands, carved with the type of fi st one might

fi nd on a crooked knife with thumb positioned outside

the closed fi ngers.

L. 35 1/2 in. (2)

$800-1,200


408

410 (detail) 410 (detail)

409

411 (detail) 411 (detail) 411 (detail) 411 (detail)

411

A Speakers’s Staff and Three Canes Depicting Human Heads

19th century

The fi rst, a speaker’s staff

Eastern Great Lakes (Iroquois)

Expressively carved with a fl owing beard and with attention to the priest tonsure

cap and cassock: The speakers’ staff would be used in confrontations as an effi gy to

invoke power over the priest or white-man. The speaker would grip the staff around

the neck of the carving, symbolically choking or maintaining control of the engage-

ment. Small wrought nails for pupils.

L. 34 in.

second, a cane

depicting a man with hat

Woodlands, fi rst half 19th century

Woodlands carving of an acculturated Native or white man. Carving is direct and

expressive.

L. 34 3/4 in.



third

Ash burl human head Manitou with later cane mounting, circa 1820

Very good example with soulful expression carved from a dense specimen of ash

burl. The inside of the man’s mouth retains red pigment.

L. 28 in.

fourth, a cane

with carved human head

Woodlands, possibly Delaware

The head carved with bulging eyes and well defi ned ears.

(4)

L. 33 1/4 in.



$1,500-2,500


412

415

415414413

412

Ash Burl Handled Bowl with Reductive

Turtle Effi gy

New England/Hudson River Valley, circa 1800

When turned over the whole is read as a reductive

turtle; the bowl its’ carapace, the handle its’ extended

neck and the trefoil carved terminal its’ head.

This bowl has a carbonized interior, which is seen

three-quarters of the way up the interior basin. This

indicates burning from heated stones tossed into the

bowl to warm its contents (stew or medicine). A dis-

tinct red tone is infused into the wood within this area

as well (possibly from medicinal herbs and barks).

L. 18 1/8 in., diam. 12 1/2 in.

$4,000-8,000

413

Wooden Ball Club

Early Eastern Woodlands, circa 1680-1750

A rare ballclub of early architecture and size with a

ball-drop extending far off an angled handle. This style

club is famously illustrated in a portrait of Etow Oh

Koam, King of the River Nation, by John Verelst (1648

- 1734), who painted fi ve Iroquois chiefs to com-

memorate a visit the fi ve chiefs made to Queen Anne

in 1710 (see Smithsonian Institution no. NPG.74.23.)

L. 14 in.

$2,000-4,000

414

Pre-Contact Club or Celt

Great Lakes, probably 15th-16th century

Rare and possibly unique club in the form of a mono-

lithic axe or hafted celt. Hewn from one piece of old

growth pine. One may associate it with a ceremonial

mace and rank symbol due to the size and form-

though wear and left thumb and forefi nger holds

indicate that it may also have been used as a weapon.

The carved recess around the perimeter of the celt

is quite intimidating, in that, from a distance or at a

glance, it appears to be a stone celt in a wood haft.

A subtle, reductive dog effi gy appears to be carved

into the club. The extended or club portion is seen as

the dog’s muzzle and the haft is the dog’s head.

Found in 1998 in a pocket of anaerobic mud near

Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Subsequently, the wood is

extremely heavy (considering that it is pine) and is

partially fossilized with some mineralization occurring

in sections.

H: 11 3/4 in.

$2,000-4,000


416

417

415

Two Elm Burl Bowls

The fi rst, with double peaked ends

Eastern Great Lakes, 1765-1785

Desirable long, narrow shape with raised ends ter-

minating in tight peaks. The whole with well-rubbed

surface; having a strong burnish to the exterior. The

fact that the sides are extremely thin adds interest to

this example.

H. 3 in., L. 7 3/4 in., W. 4 1/4 in.

The second, boat form

Eastern Great Lakes, 1760-1780

Medium sized elm bowl with a shouldered end on

one side and the sides tapering to a slow peak

on the other.

H. 3 1/2 in., L. 10 1/2 in., W. 7 1/2 in.

$2,000-4,000

Provenance: Roger Bacon, 1982: sold Skinner Sept. 24, 1982, lot no. 82

416

Ojibwa Red Painted Elm Ceremonial Burl

Bowl

Eastern Great Lakes, mid-18th century

This is an exceptional boat shaped example with thin

walls peaked ends and tapered body. Thin and hewn

with the grace and balance of a master craftsman. The

exterior probably retains its original red paint. The

whole has a quiet, sublime quality to it-the delicacy of

the elegant form combined with the contrast of the

dark exterior against the light color of the interior.

L. 8 3/8 in.

$10,000-15,000

Interestingly an inclusion on the exterior appears to

have been fi lled at an early date with some type of

reddish sap.

417

Ash Burl Bowl with Peaked Ends


This elegant bowl is very thinly hewn and had a well-

used life. The exterior maintains traces of a green-

oxide paint. The bowl has cracks and chips to one

side. The longest crack is 10 1/2 in. long.

Note should be made to how masterfully the repairs

are executed. Forged nails were actually driven side-

ways into the thin walls to mend the split.

L. 13 7/8 in.

$3,000-5,000

Illustrated and discussed in Powers, S. North American

Burl Treen: Colonial & Native American, Brooklyn, NY,

2005, p. 125


418

418

Very Large Ash Burl Effi gy Ladle with Single Manitou Eye

Woodlands, fi rst-half 18th century

The elongated disc and semi-circular cutout is interpreted as being the eye of

a Manitou. This ladle exhibits a benchmark for surface, color and patination.

Though catalogued as early 18th century, this ladle may very well be mid-17th

century.

L. 11 1/2 in.

$10,000-15,000




419

420

419

Manitou Effi gy Cup or Scoop

Central-Western Great Lakes Woodlands, circa 1800

The outsized cup or scoop displays a large Manitou

effi gy with overlapping references to the being’s eye,

head and horns. Hewn from rock maple, the cup/

scoop is masterfully carved with a thinly hewn bowl

and dramatic rendering of the Manitou effi gy.

See, Powers, The Evolution of the Water Manitou as Seen Through Its’ Presence In Woodlands Bowls & Ladles, Good Wood Volume 1, 2008 and Maurer GREAT LAKES INDIAN ART, Representational and Symbolic Forms in Great Lakes-Area Wooden Sculpture, 1989

L. 8 in.

$10,000-20,000

420

Effi gy Bowl with Two Lobes

Pawnee, 1840-1860

Rare small effi gy bowl with two pierced rounded

lobes extending from one side of the rim representing

a Manitou.

A bowl of very similar form is in the collection of the

Detroit Institute of Arts. (81.820)

H. 1 1/8 in., W. 4 3/4 in.

$3,000-6,000

Provenance: William Samaha, Milan Ohio

Literature: See Maurer, Evan, “Representational

and Symbolic Forms in Great Lakes-Area Wooden

Sculpture, Great Lakes Indian Art”, p.37.


421

424423422

421

Burl Ladle with Scroll and Shell Carving

New England or Hudson River Valley Woodlands, 1780-1820

Though technically not an effi gy ladle, this ladle is carved with same degree of con-

sideration. The scrolled terminal and the unusual reed-carved or perhaps shell-carved

knee are unique. A similar scroll carving is seen on a bowl in the possession of

Nathan Liverant & Son Antiques of Colchester, Connecticut and illustrated in THE

USE OF BURL IN AMERICA, pl. XVI. The scroll is reminiscent of Abenaki carved

crooked knives and also to the scroll carving one might see on the ears of a Fan-back

colonial Windsor chair.

L. 7 7/8 in.

$4,000-6,000



422

Kneeling Fawn Effi gy Ladle


Beautiful small ladle with a quiet sophistication. Balanced carving with fi ne details to

the waisted handle.

L. 5 1/16 in.

$3,000-6,000

423

Highly Reductive Buffalo Ladle

Western-Central Great Lakes Woodlands, circa 1800-1820

Here again we can see how the Native artisans are taking a familiar form and reduc-

ing it to blocked masses – the artisan has reduced the form to the essence of his

subject.

L. 4 7/8 in.

$3,000-5,000

424

Maple Ladle with Chip Carved Panel on Handle

Eastern Woodlands, possibly New England, circa 1740

This early ladle is carved with a chip carved panel at the top of the handle with a zig-

zag border framing a center set diamond shape with another diamond carved below

the panel. A large circle is carved incised in the handle near the bowl. The carving

style appears to be more Algonquin than Iroquoian in style and is possibly Eastern

Seaboard or New England in origin.

A related ladle is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (cat no.

10.125.588 g).

L. 5 5/16 in.

$1,500-3,000


425

426 427

425

Human Effi gy Ladle Smoking Bear Effi gy Pipe

Western Great Lakes Woodlands (Cree), circa 1820

Skillfully hewn with a thin delineated bowl, this effi gy ladle combines two Woodlands

traditions in one; effi gy ladle and pipe carving. The large openwork carved fi gure is

crouching or climbing up the top-back of the handle and is smoking from a bear

effi gy pipe that bridges between the fi gure and the top of the handle. This is an

unusual and compelling example.

The majority of Woodlands/Great Lakes effi gy ladles feature a single representational element carved at the end of the handle. These fi gures are iconic forms that sit as majestic miniatures proclaiming a personal or clan relationship of the owner.

These two ladles (see lot 312, Human and Bear Effi gy Ladle) are unusual in that they represent more than one fi gure in the case of the human and the bear, or one fi gure interacting with an object, such as the man smoking a bear effi gy pipe. In many cultural areas of Native America the bear is especially associated with healing and medicine. The bear and the human imply a nar-rative, a story that would have been understood by all who saw it. The use of tobacco and the smoking pipe are sacred ritual acts in Native American societ-ies. So the representation of a man in the act of smoking was a familiar one and would have engaged the user and the viewer in another meaningful narrative.

– Evan M. Maurer, Director Emeritus, The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, December, 2011, also referring to lot (#312)

H. 8 1/4 in., L. 7 in., W. 3 1/2 in.

$5,000-10,000

426

Two Ash Burl Flasks Together with a Maple Burl Box

18th century (box)

The circular fl ask with screw off top may possibly be Woodlands made (Native Americans were interacting with Christian Missionaries from fi rst contact)-the bottom inscribed IHS (Iesus Hominum Salvator), a Rare Ash Burl Powder Flask, and an early 18th century maple burl vessel (missing cover) with note, partially legible, ‘used by Grandmother as… body powder…’ (3)

H. 7 1/8 in. (tallest)

$1,200-1,800

427

Group of Four Small Burl Bowls

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, fi rst half of 19th century

The larger thinly hewn from ash burl with ashen grey color, the next ash burl with a

dark nutty color with a highly patinated surface (ex. Garrett), the next also ash with a

few early fi lls to the bottom and the smallest of maple with a beaded rim and canted

sides.

Diam. 5 1/8 in. (largest) (4)

$1,500-2,500

Provenance: Clark and Mary Garrett, Fairhaven, OH


430

Two Elm Burl Bowls with Deep Sides

Eastern Great Lakes Woodlands, probably mid-18th century

The fi rst of early oval bowl of deep proportions and subtle refi ned foot.

H. 3 1/4 in., L. 7 7/8 in., W. 6 in.

The second of irregular shape with deep, nearly straight sides

H. 2 3/4 in., L. 6 3/4 in., W. 5 in. (2)

$1,000-2,000

431

Group of Nine Large Assorted Ladles and Mush Paddles

Great Lakes Woodlands, 19th century

Five ladles of large size, two with openwork carved demilunes and 4 mush or johnny

cake paddles, two with ball-in-cage carving and one with shaped handle with chip

carved decoration fi lled with red and green wax.

L. 25 in. (tallest) (9)

$800-1,200

428

Human Effi gy Staff

Delaware, circa 1800

A powerful and rare example of an Algonquian effi gy staff. Staffs as such would be

held as speakers staffs or held by sachems as status symbols.

H. 25 1/2 in.

$3,000-5,000

429

Tiger Maple Dance Wand in the Form of a Snake

Possibly Santee Sioux, fi rst-half of 19th century

A very fi ne and rare slender snake dance wand carved from a beautiful specimen of

tiger maple with trade bead eyes (one is missing).

L. 25 1/4 in.

$1,000-1,500

428 429

429 (detail)

430 (one bowl pictured) 431


432

An Assorted Group of Twenty-One Spoons and Scoops

Woodlands, Plains, Northwest Coast and California, 1780-1880

Mostly carved from wood in various designs, a few of possible New England

Algonquian origin, others of horn, bone and antler. (21)

$800-1,200

433

Shoshone Mortar and Ash Burl Hewn Mortar

Shoshone mortar

Plains, circa 1840-1860

The base of short conical shape with the vessel area extending into an inverted cone.

The whole with a complex, untouched surface.

H. 7 3/8 in., W. 4 in.

Ash burl hewn mortar


Native hewn mortars are scarce. We cannot recall seeing another hewn mortar in

ash burl. This work vessel has an exceptional surface with a rich burnish to the top

rim and interior from years and years of continued use.

H. 6 3/4 in., W. 5 15/16 in. (2)

$400-800

434

An Assorted Group of Thirty-Four “Study Ladles”

Woodlands, 1780-1880

Consisting of a wide range forms illustrating abstract and reductive forms and devices common to the Woodlands carvers vernacular. (34)


$2,500-5,000

435

A Group of Twenty-Eight Assorted Ladles, Including a Large Ash

Burl, Manitou Effi gy Ladle, a Bird Effi gy Ladle

Great Lakes Woodlands, 1780-1880

Consisting of a wide range forms illustrating abstract and reductive forms and

devices common to the Woodlands carvers vernacular. Including a bird effi gy ladle,

a very large ash burl ladle, and an ash burl ladle with deep bowl (illustrated in North

American Burl Treen, p. 178, and poss. 17th century). (2)

$3,500-5,000

End of Sale

433

435

432

434

Bidding Increments The auctioneer will commence the bidding at any level and in increments con-sidered appropriate. Bids will be sought in increments selected by the auction-eer who will have the absolute discretion to select any increments for any lot (and the discretion to vary the increments in the course of the bidding for any lot). However, generally speaking, the increments will depend upon the low estimate for the lot. Thus for example, for lots having a low estimate below $1,000, bids will be sought at increments of $50. The normal pattern for bid-ding increments will be as follows:

Low Estimate Increments< 999 $50s$1,000 – 1,999 $100s$2,000 – 4,999 $250s$5,000 – 9,999 $500s$10,000 – 29,999 $1,000s$30,000 – 49,999 $2,500s$50,000 – 99,999 $5,000s> $100,000 at auctioneer’s discretion

These increments may vary during the course of the auction at the discretion of the auctioneer.

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the peter brams collection of important woodlands indian art

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personal collection

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