A FINE AND RARE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS SHAMAN'S HEADDRESS

Christie's charge a buyer's premium of 20.825% of … Read more

Details

A FINE AND RARE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS SHAMAN'S HEADDRESS
The hide head band formed from the nostrils and facial skin of a marine mammal, suspending long cylindrical bone pendants with incised dots and linear motifs, one in the form of a stylised animal, creamy patinas
35.5cm. high

Literature

Coe, R., Sacred Circles: Two Thousand Years of North American Indian Art, London, 1976, p.122, fig.241
Biebuyck, D. and Van den Abbeele, N., The Power of Headdresses, Brussels, 1984, p.249, fig.198

Exhibited

Hayward Gallery, London, October 1976 - January 1977

Special notice

Christie's charge a buyer's premium of 20.825% of the hammer price for lots with values up to NLG 200,000. If the hammer price exceeds the NLG 200,000 then the premium is calculated at 20.825% of the first NLG 200,000 plus 11.9% of any amount in excess of NLG 200,000. Ivory and Endangered Species Prospective purchasers are advised that certain property offered may be subject to Dutch legislation relating to endangered species and environmental conservation. The export of any of these lots may require a special license from the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) office. Several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials of endangered species such as ivory, tortoiseshell, rhinoceros horn, and whalebone. Irrespective of percentage, prospective purchasers should familiarise themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import any such property into another country. Whilst Christie's is pleased to assist buyers with applications for export and import permits, buyers are reminded that they are ultimately responsible for satisfying export and import regulations and Christie's cannot guarantee the successful outcome of license applications. Please contact the Tribal Art dept if you have any further questions.

Lot Essay

Coe (op.cit., p.122) writing about the present lot states: "The crown of the headdress simulates a bear's nostrils and upper jaw...The headdress would have been worn with the pendants hanging over the face. Similar headdresses have been found on the Siberian Peninsula. Three are in the Leningrad Museum."

More from ART OF THE AMERICAS -- THE MRS N. VAN DEN ABBEELE COLLECTION

View All