CINCINNATI – Cowan’s Auctions Fall American Indian and Western Art: Live Salesroom Auction on Sept. 20 realized $1,276,000. Competitive bidding from the audience on the floor, Internet, phone and absentee bidders drove the prices for many of the lots well past their estimates. Most notably, two paintings by Joseph Henry Sharp sold to bidders on the phone and realized just over $400,000. Items from the Marvin L. Lince Collection of American Indian Weaponry and Accoutrements also achieved high prices in the sale.

LiveAuctioneers.com provided Internet live bidding.

More than 10 bidders battled for Joseph Henry Sharp’s painting, Crow Encampment. After nearly five minutes, Sharp’s oil on canvas eventually sold for $309,000, tripling its estimate of $80,000-$120,000. Another painting by Sharp, titled Pueblo Drummer, exceeded its estimate and sold for $99,000.

“These were very fine examples of Sharp’s work and the market responded in kind,” said Graydon Sikes, director of paintings and prints, “The camp picture along the Little Bighorn was a sizable and rare example, probably executed in the first decade of the 20th century, and was buried in Cincinnati for many years. It was the first time for both pictures on the auction market. There was a period of a few years where Sharp’s work seemed a bit depressed, but that was because auction houses have been estimating very aggressively. Not to sound like a broken record, but when important works are estimated reasonably, and consignors are willing to absorb some risk, then the likelihood of the highest price at auction is strong. We were thrilled with the results.”

Highlights from the Lince Collection included a Great Lakes pipe tomahawk with a brass and silver inlay which sold to a bidder on the floor for $93,000, Crow Foot’s Blackfeet dag knife with the beaded hide sheath hammered down at $78,000, a Red River metis quilled hide knife sheath with a dag knife realized $54,000, and a Western Plains tomahawk with an antelope drop sold for $60,000.

“I am very happy with the results of this sale,” said Danica Farnand, director, American Indian art, “The auction had fireworks throughout, including a bidding war over a Crow Foot’s knife and beaded sheath (lot 110) and the beautifully inlaid Great Lakes pipe tomahawk (lot 122). Both of these pieces were from the Marvin Lince Collection, which I felt did exceptionally well overall. We will be offering the final grouping of his collection in April 2014. I felt this auction was a testament to the fact that the market is on the upswing, and quality objects will continue to be sought-after by collectors.”

Navajo items had a particularly strong showing in the auction. Bidders on the phone, Internet and floor went back and forth for a Navajo classic woman’s dress, which eventually sold to a participant in the audience for $24,000. A Navajo Third Phase chief’s blanket realized $11,685, and two Navajo room-size Ganado weavings collected by John S. Boyden Sr. each sold for $12,000.

Beaded items achieved high prices in the auction. A Thompson River beaded hide war shirt and leggings realized $22,800, a Sioux beaded hide bow case and quiver sold for $8,400, and a pair of Sioux beaded and quilled matched buffalo hide possible bags from the renowned collection of Forrest Fenn realized $9,840.

American Indian masks, carvings and bowls were also offered in the sale. An Eastern Great Lakes effigy burl bowl hammered down at $18,000, a Western Great Lakes catlinite pipe bowl sold for $6,600, an Iroquois false face mask realized $7,200, and an Iroquois effigy ladle realized $3,900.

Other notable lots in the auction in the sale included a Pottawatomie pictorial beaded bandolier bag, which hammered down at $7,200, a Plateau boy’s beaded hide war shirt sold for $9,000, a Navajo First Phase concha belt realized $13,200, and an Apache girl’s sunrise ceremony beaded hide tunic realized $6,600.

For more information about the auction or to consign for future auctions, please visit cowans.com or call Danica Farnand at 513-871-1670 ext. 15.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.

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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

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