Lot 64: A Superb Northwest Coast Indian Frontlet, Haida

A Superb Northwest Coast Indian Frontlet, Haida. The frontlet carved in the form of a hawk or eagle-faced human, with characteristic large eyes, and wide downturned mouth, the nose attached to large curving beak-like nose attached to the mask with two tenons. The surface painted with correct old pigments in shades of dark red, an off-white and a backlash color. The top with six baleen (?) sprigs rising and crowning the mask, inset into the crown. The top and sides both pierced for attachment, probably originally to a fur head-band, remains of letter bands to the bottom holes. The back with an old tag hand written, stating "Old Mask of Hydah indians Alaska Used in Potlatches' and with the initials "O.Ay". A very fine old example, almost certainly 19th Century. Ex. Sydney and Lynn Lerman Collection, purchased C. 1970 in Atlanta from a private dealer, sold by the heirs of the estate. 16" tall, 7 1/2" - wide including sprigs.

Price Realized: $4,250

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