Description:

**First Time At Auction**

Northwest Coast, Haida, ca.1960s."HE" and overlapping initials "C" and "L" inscribed on back. A finely carved argillite face plaque presenting a stylized visage comprised of wide open eyes, a broad nose, a thick browline, parted lips revealing a mouth full of teeth, and a jutting chin. Argillite is a fine-grained sedimentary rock that is typically black in color and lustrous once polished; it often has an impressively smooth appearance that truly makes the carving come to life as we see in this example. In the 19th century, the Haida people began to carve this material as a trade good for visiting Europeans and Americans, because of the decline of their traditional economic practice of fishing. Argillite carvings served as a way to show their artistic merit in addition to introducing Northwest Coast iconography to the outside world. Size: 2.55" W x 3.8" H (6.5 cm x 9.7 cm)

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

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#155318

  • Condition: Excellent condition with very light wear commensurate with age. Old adhesive on one corner of back.

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April 30, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000