Done
Gwynneville, IN, United States
Auction Details
Prehistoric Artifact Auction
All items being offered in this auction are from the collection of Earl C. Townsend, Jr. Mr. Townsend assembled the finest collection of Prehistoric Artifacts ever known.
As with all collectable forms of art, documentation and collector history play an important role in determining the desirability of Prehistoric Native American Artifacts. Earl Townsend began collecting artifacts at a relatively young age, acquiring top grade relics from the most revered collections of the day (Wherle, Young, Stone, Meuser, etc.). For Mr. Townsend, the quest of a desirable relic (especially a Birdstone) was an enjoyable task. He diligently travelled to sometimes remote locations. Glimpses of the, sometimes colorful, details of his journeys can be found in the descriptions of his artifacts. This is especially true for the Birdstones he documented in his monumental literary work, "Birdstones of the North American Indian" (better known as (The Birdstone Book). His record of the Gratiot County Porphyry Pop Eyed Birdstone (Item 146) playfully notes that "three freshly caught black bass and other valuable considerations induced Rolly Weikart to surrender this saucy little gem." The Townsend Collection is an assemblage of artifacts with excellent provenance and storied histories - skillfully assembled by a man with an extraordinary eye for art.
This auction features fifty four (54) Birdstones. Most are pictured, with thirty (30) being pictured in the Birdstone Book. Two caches of Townsend Turkeytails and several fine Quartz Bannerstones are being offered as well. A total of 351 lots are being sold. This will be the premier artifact auction of the year.
Lot Number: Lowest
24
View:
24
TOP