CHICAGO – It’s easy to forget that everything we consider ancient today was once contemporary. Hindman Auctions’ Ethnographic & Tribal Art sale, scheduled for Wednesday, July 13, will spotlight objects from around the world that were made for trade or served utilitarian purposes. This 300-lot online auction offers objects from Pre-Columbian, African and Oceanic cultures, spanning from ancient to contemporary times. This sale is the ideal destination for antiquarians, designers and art enthusiasts alike to be inspired by what was once viewed as cutting-edge and find the perfect focal points or accents for a range of interiors. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
A varied selection of Pre-Columbian lots will lead the auction, including a strong offering of jadeite figures, sculptures, masks and pendants. An Olmec jade maskette, coming from one of the first known settled civilizations of Central America, will undoubtedly be a highlight. A material that is rarely seen in the natural world, jadeite was seen as incredibly valuable by the Olmec people, and this mask was likely used in sacred rituals. The jade piece is estimated at $6,000-$8,000.
Another lot within the Pre-Columbian selection that is expected to see fierce competition is a Maya polychrome cylinder vessel from the Late Classic period, an eye-catching item that could provide a beautiful juxtaposition against a more modern setting. Its estimate is $10,000-$15,000.
Alongside the exquisite masks being offered in the Pre-Columbian selection, African masks will also be among the standout lots. A Songye wood female mask (Kifwebe) from what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo is expected to see great demand, and is a prime example of this type of mask. Kifwebe are striated face masks, featuring geometric grooves, and represent either male or female beings. The example in the sale is estimated at $4,000-$6,000.
In addition, African jewelry choices will be highlighted by 13 Saharan stone bracelets and discoidals, together estimated at $10,000-$15,000. Some date as far back as the African Stone Age and are remnants of the earliest civilizations in the world.
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