Important private collection of American Indian Art debuts at Heritage Auctions

Plateau Pony Beaded Hide Dress may bring $20,000; Plateau Beaded Cloth Shirt is expected to exceed $12,000 Nov. 6 in Dallas

DALLAS — Select items from an important private collection of American Indian beaded clothing and accoutrements — including a rare Plateau Pony Beaded Hide Dress (est. $20,000+) and a Plateau Beaded Hide and Cloth Shirt (est. $12,000+), made in around 1885 of navy blue and red wool trade cloth and accented by glass seed beads and ermine skin fringe — will greet collectors for the first time in Heritage Auctions’ Ethnographic Art: American Indian, Pre-Columbian, and Tribal Art Nov. 6 in Dallas.

“The private collection was amassed over decades by a collector with a keen eye for American Indian artistry,” said Delia Sullivan, Director of American Indian Art at Heritage. “This is one of the most well-appointed collections I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with. It is unusual in both the scope and focus with condition being the chief qualifying factor in many of the pieces. These pieces make for exquisite display works.”

A colorful Plateau Beaded Hide Blanket Strip, circa 1885, is made of Navy blue and red wool trade cloth, glass seed beads and grosgrain ribbon (est. $12,000+). Decorated with four multicolored pinwheels with fringe, the strip measures an impressive 63-1/2-inches wide. The collection also holds a beautiful pair of Plateau Beaded Hide Gauntlets, with lush beaded fields of flower-forms (est. $1,000+).

The entire auction’s diverse selection of artifacts span the North American continent, including an Eastern Woodlands Pipe Tomahawk, fashioned with a brass blade (est. $8,000+); a Plains Assiniboine Beaded Hide Gun Case (est. $6,000+); and a Nez Perce or Blackfoot Beaded Hide Double Saddle Bag, circa 1890, (est. $6,000+).

The auction also includes a strong collection of Pre-Columbian art, including a 6-1/2-inch Maya Painted Cylinder Vase (est. $8,000+). A Vera Cruz Pre-Columbian Figure remains remarkably complete and displays intricate details of jewelry and remnants of original paint decoration (est. $6,000+).

A special presentation of the Howard and Catherine Feldman Collection of Tribal Art consists of more than 350 masks — mostly from the Himalayas, Mexico and Guatemala — including a rare Himalayan Mask (est. $1,500+). The collection was spread over every wall of the Feldman’s Santa Fe home. Throughout their adult lives the Feldman’s collected folk art and their selections of tribal masks were influenced by this. African maskettes and shields are also present in this collection.

Additional highlights include, but are not limited to:

A Pre-Columbian Gold Shark Brooch, circa 600-1100 AD and cast in gold using the ancient lost wax process (est. $10,000+).

A Large, Gold Avian Effigy Pendant with Scrolling Headdress, made in Costa Rica between 400 and 800 AD (est. $4,000+).

An important Hemba Ancestor Figure, from tribal Africa (est. $4,000+).



Hi-Res images available:
Eric Bradley, Public Relations Associate
214-409-1871; EricB@HA.com