Lot 308
Meskwaki Wood Heddle, with Horses
Sale 1073 - Native American Art, Session I
Sep 9, 2022 10:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati
Estimate
$2,000 - $3,000

Sold for $4,063

Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
Meskwaki Wood Heddle, with Horses
mid-19th century

height 8 inches x width 9-1/2 inches

...the carving of horseheads on wooden utensils and pipes has a long history among the Great Lakes Indians.  The prototype of these images is a dragon-like effigy carved on pipe bowls by these Indians.  Gradual change resulted in the stylized horseheads of the 1860s.  This stylistic convergence of dragon and horse was not accidental; horses were believed to have originated from the Underworld, the realm ruled over by a dragon-like deity.

Native symbolism is often multi-layered though; by carving the two horse-heads nudging each other amorously the Mesquakie carver conveyed his warm feelings for the female recipient of this heddle
(Brasser 2007)

Included is a copy of a typed essay on Great Lakes heddles by Ted Brasser.

Previously sold at Cowan's Auctions: American Indian and Western Art (March 31, 2007: lot 521).
Condition Report
With stand.

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