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May 19, 12:00PM EDT

American Indian & Tribal Art

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  • Naga Sword, Dao
    Estimate
    $500 - $700
    Lot 1

    Naga Sword, Dao

    Est.
    $500 - $700
  • Naga Brass Pectoral Ornament
    Estimate
    $400 - $500
    Lot 2

    Naga Brass Pectoral Ornament

    Est.
    $400 - $500
  • Large Naga Pectoral Ornament
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 3

    Large Naga Pectoral Ornament

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • Nuristan House Post
    Estimate
    $1,200 - $1,800
    Lot 4

    Nuristan House Post

    Est.
    $1,200 - $1,800
  • Dayak Wood Coffin End
    Estimate
    $1,200 - $1,800
    Lot 5

    Dayak Wood Coffin End

    Est.
    $1,200 - $1,800
  • Asmat Headrest
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 6

    Asmat Headrest

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • Papuan Gulf Betel Nut Staff
    Estimate
    $700 - $900
    Lot 7

    Papuan Gulf Betel Nut Staff

    Est.
    $700 - $900
  • New Guinea Highlands Polychrome Wood Mask
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500
    Lot 8

    New Guinea Highlands Polychrome Wood Mask

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
  • New Guinea War Shield, Worrumbi
    Estimate
    $1,800 - $2,400
    Lot 9

    New Guinea War Shield, Worrumbi

    Est.
    $1,800 - $2,400
  • New Guinea Underarm Shield, Elayborr
    Estimate
    $2,500 - $3,500
    Lot 10

    New Guinea Underarm Shield, Elayborr

    Est.
    $2,500 - $3,500
  • New Guinea Barkcloth
    Estimate
    $2,500 - $3,500
    Lot 11

    New Guinea Barkcloth

    Est.
    $2,500 - $3,500
  • Hunstein Mountains Garra Cult Hook
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,500
    Lot 12

    Hunstein Mountains Garra Cult Hook

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,500
  • Keram River Amulet Figure
    Estimate
    $3,000 - $4,000
    Lot 13

    Keram River Amulet Figure

    Est.
    $3,000 - $4,000
  • New Guinea Canoe Prow
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 14

    New Guinea Canoe Prow

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • New Guinea War Trumpet, Kul
    Estimate
    $1,800 - $2,400
    Lot 15

    New Guinea War Trumpet, Kul

    Est.
    $1,800 - $2,400
  • New Guinea Sago Peg
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 16

    New Guinea Sago Peg

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • New Guinea Ancestor Figure
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 17

    New Guinea Ancestor Figure

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • New Britain Shield
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 18

    New Britain Shield

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • New Britain War Club
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500
    Lot 19

    New Britain War Club

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
  • Solomon Islands Club
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 20

    Solomon Islands Club

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • Solomon Islands Feather Currency Roll, Tevau
    Estimate
    $4,000 - $6,000
    Lot 21

    Solomon Islands Feather Currency Roll, Tevau

    Est.
    $4,000 - $6,000
  • New Caledonia War Club
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 22

    New Caledonia War Club

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • Australian Aboriginal Tiwi Figure
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 23

    Australian Aboriginal Tiwi Figure

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • Aborigine Shield
    Estimate
    $700 - $900
    Lot 24

    Aborigine Shield

    Est.
    $700 - $900
  • Fijian Throwing Club, Ula
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 25

    Fijian Throwing Club, Ula

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • Fijian Throwing Club, Ula
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500
    Lot 26

    Fijian Throwing Club, Ula

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
  • Fijian Throwing Club, Ula
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 27

    Fijian Throwing Club, Ula

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • Fijian War Club, Bovai
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500
    Lot 28

    Fijian War Club, Bovai

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
  • Fijian Rootstock Club, Vunikau
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 29

    Fijian Rootstock Club, Vunikau

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • Fijian Dance Club, Sali
    Estimate
    $1,200 - $1,800
    Lot 30

    Fijian Dance Club, Sali

    Est.
    $1,200 - $1,800
  • Fijian Carved Wood Oil Dish
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $3,000
    Lot 31

    Fijian Carved Wood Oil Dish

    Est.
    $2,000 - $3,000
  • Fijian Neck Rest, Kali
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $3,000
    Lot 32

    Fijian Neck Rest, Kali

    Est.
    $2,000 - $3,000
  • Large Fijian Model Canoe
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500
    Lot 33

    Large Fijian Model Canoe

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
  • Tongan Headrest, Kali Laloni
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $3,000
    Lot 34

    Tongan Headrest, Kali Laloni

    Est.
    $2,000 - $3,000
  • Tongan Hardwood Club, Akau Tau
    Estimate
    $5,000 - $7,000
    Lot 35

    Tongan Hardwood Club, Akau Tau

    Est.
    $5,000 - $7,000
  • Niue Paddle Club, Ula-fumiti
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 36

    Niue Paddle Club, Ula-fumiti

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • Samoan War Club
    Estimate
    $3,000 - $5,000
    Lot 37

    Samoan War Club

    Est.
    $3,000 - $5,000
  • Cook Islands Ceremonial Hafted Adze
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500
    Lot 38

    Cook Islands Ceremonial Hafted Adze

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
  • Cook Islands Ceremonial Adze Handle
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 39

    Cook Islands Ceremonial Adze Handle

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • Polynesian Stone Adze Blade
    Estimate
    $500 - $700
    Lot 40

    Polynesian Stone Adze Blade

    Est.
    $500 - $700
  • Maori Hei Tiki Greenstone Pendant
    Estimate
    $2,500 - $3,500
    Lot 41

    Maori Hei Tiki Greenstone Pendant

    Est.
    $2,500 - $3,500
  • Maori Greenstone Club, Mere
    Estimate
    $3,000 - $5,000
    Lot 42

    Maori Greenstone Club, Mere

    Est.
    $3,000 - $5,000
  • Large Hawaiian Stone Game Ball
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 43

    Large Hawaiian Stone Game Ball

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • Hawaiian Poi Pounder
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500
    Lot 44

    Hawaiian Poi Pounder

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
  • Hawaiian Whale Tooth Pendant, Niho Palaoa
    Estimate
    $6,000 - $8,000
    Lot 46

    Hawaiian Whale Tooth Pendant, Niho Palaoa

    Est.
    $6,000 - $8,000
  • Hawaiian Feather Staff, Kahili
    Estimate
    $5,000 - $7,000
    Lot 47

    Hawaiian Feather Staff, Kahili

    Est.
    $5,000 - $7,000
  • Hawaiian Kapa Beater, I'e kuku
    Estimate
    $4,000 - $6,000
    Lot 48

    Hawaiian Kapa Beater, I'e kuku

    Est.
    $4,000 - $6,000
  • Hawaiian Poi Bowl, Umeke la'au pakaka
    Estimate
    $1,200 - $1,800
    Lot 49

    Hawaiian Poi Bowl, Umeke la'au pakaka

    Est.
    $1,200 - $1,800

Auction Description

American Indian & Tribal Art by Bonhams Skinner
Previews open May 13, 14 & 18 in Boston.

Book a preview appointment.

We are pleased to offer property from the Leo and Lillian Fortess collection from Hawaii, featuring a rare Hawaiian pendant purportedly collected on Captain Cook’s third voyage and several other Hawaiian and Polynesian artifacts. Oceanic material from Polynesia includes Tongan and Fijian clubs and head rests. From the African Continent are masks and figures predominately from the Songye people of the Congo. Native American artifacts include a Northeast Indian collection from Montreal, including moccasins, beaded bags, and a Mohawk cradle. These objects are offered alongside Plains Indian beaded bags, pipe tomahawks, catlinite pipes, a large painted buffalo robe, a rare Ute bandolier bag, and a fine, early, tack decorated ball club. There is also a collection of Southwest pottery, Navajo textiles and jewelry, and a collection of rare Prairie nickel silver jewelry. Contact Us General Inquiries 508.970.3211 support@skinnerinc.com Department Specialists 508.970.3254 americanindian@skinnerinc.com
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Bonhams Skinner
Boston, MA 02116
United States

bidsquare@bonhamsskinner.com

Phone:+1 6173505400

Buyer’s Premium

Start Premium (%)
$0 25.00

Bid Increments

Start Increments ($)
$0 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$30,000 $2,500
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
$300,000 $25,000
$500,000 $50,000
$1,000,000 $100,000

Shipping Info

Please visit http://www.skinnerinc.com/services/payment-and-shipping/ for information regarding the collection of items purchased at auction. 

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Terms & Conditions

Please visit https://www.skinnerinc.com/connect/conditions-of-sale/ for the Conditions of Sale. 

A. Conditions of Sale 1. Some of the lots in this sale are offered subject to a reserve. The reserve is a confidential minimum price agreed upon by the consignor and Skinner, Inc. below which the lot will not be sold. In most cases, the reserve will be set below the estimated range, but in no case will it exceed the estimates listed. A representative of Skinner, Inc. will execute such reserves by bidding for the consignor. In any event and whether or not a lot is subject to a reserve, the auctioneer may reject any bid or raise not commensurate with the value of such lot. 2. All property is sold “as is,” and neither the auctioneer nor any consignor makes any warranties or representation of any kind or nature with respect to the property, and in no event shall they be responsible for the correctness, nor deemed to have made any representation or warranty, of description, genuineness, authorship, attribution, provenance, period, culture, source, origin, or condition of the property and no statement made at the sale, or in the bill of sale, or invoice or elsewhere shall be deemed such a warranty of representation or an assumption of liability. 3. Except as provided in paragraph 1 above, the highest bidder as determined by the auctioneer shall be the purchaser. In the case of a disputed bid, the auctioneer shall have sole discretion in determining the purchaser and may also, at his or her election, withdraw the lot or reoffer the lot for sale. The auctioneer shall have sole discretion to refuse any bid, or refuse to acknowledge any bidder. Any bidder that plans on spending in excess of $100,000 should make arrangements with the accounting department at least five (5) days in advance of the sale, as a deposit may be required to participate. 4. All merchandise purchased must be paid for and removed from the premises the day of the auction. Skinner Inc. may impose, and the purchaser agrees to pay, a monthly interest charge of 1.5% of the purchase price of any lot or item lot not paid for within thirty-five (35) days of the date of sale. Skinner, Inc. shall have no liability for any damage or loss to property left on its premises for more than seven (7) days from the date of sale. If any property has not been removed within seven (7) days from the date of sale, at the option of Skinner, Inc. (a) Skinner Inc. reserves the right to charge a minimum storage fee of $10 per lot per day, and may impose, and the purchaser agrees to pay, a monthly storage charge of 1.5% of the purchase price of any lot or portion of a lot not removed within the seven (7) days, and/or (b) Skinner Inc. may place the merchandise in a subsequent auction, without Reserve, to be sold to the highest bidder, and after deducting the standard commission and any additional charges that may apply, remit the proceeds to the purchaser. 5. Skinner accepts cash or check for payment. Personal checks will be acceptable only if credit has been established with Skinner, Inc. or if a bank authorization has been received guaranteeing a personal check. Skinner, Inc. reserves the right to hold merchandise purchased by personal check until the check has cleared the bank. The purchaser agrees to pay Skinner, Inc. a handling charge of $25.00 for any check dishonored by the drawee. Please contact Accounting for additional payment methods. Skinner does not accept payment by credit card for merchandise purchases. 6. If the purchaser breaches any of its obligations under these Conditions of Sale, including its obligation to pay in full the purchase price of all items for which it was the highest successful bidder, Skinner Inc. may exercise all of its rights and remedies under the law including, without limitation, (a) canceling the sale and applying any payments made by the purchaser to the damages caused by the purchaser’s breach, and/or (b) offering at public auction, without reserve, any lot or item for which the purchaser has breached any of its obligations, including its obligation to pay in full the purchase price, holding the purchaser liable for any deficiency plus all costs of sale. 7. In no event will the liability of Skinner, Inc. to any purchaser with respect to any item exceed the purchase price actually paid by such purchaser for such item. 8. Shipping is the responsibility of the purchaser. Upon request, our staff will provide the list of shippers who deliver to destinations within the United States and overseas. Some property that is sold at auction can be subject to laws governing export from the U.S., such as items that include material from some endangered species. Import restrictions from foreign countries are subject to these same governing laws. Granting of licensing for import or export of goods from local authorities is the sole responsibility of the buyer. Denial or delay of licensing will not constitute cancellation or delay in payment for the total purchase price of these lots. 9. Sales in Massachusetts, Florida, New York, and Maine are subject to the respective current sales taxes. Dealers, museums, and other qualifying parties may be exempt from sales tax upon submission of proper documentation. 10. A premium equal to 25% of the final bid price up to and including $250,000, plus 20% of the final bid price from $250,001 up to and including $3,000,000, plus 12% of the final bid price from $3,000,001 and over will be applied to each lot sold, to be paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. 11. Bidding on any item indicates your acceptance of these terms and all other terms printed within, posted, and announced at the time of sale whether bidding in person, through a representative, by phone, by Internet, or other absentee bid. 12. Skinner, Inc. and its consignors make no warranty or representation, express or implied, that the purchaser will acquire any copyright or reproduction rights to any lot sold. Skinner, Inc. expressly reserves the right to reproduce any image of the lots sold in this catalog. The copyright in all images, illustrations and written material produced by or for Skinner, Inc. relating to a lot, including the contents of this catalog, is, and shall remain at all times, the property of Skinner, Inc. and shall not be used by the purchaser, nor by anyone else, without our prior written consent. 13. These conditions of sale shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (excluding the laws applicable to conflicts or choice of law). The buyer/bidder agrees that any suit for the enforcement of this agreement may be brought, and any action against Skinner in connection with the transactions contemplated by this agreement shall be brought, in the courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any federal court sitting therein. The bidder/buyer consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts and waives objections that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such suit. B. Skinner, Inc. & Lower Falls Wine Co. Conditions of Sale – Fine Wines/Fine Wines – Online Auction 1. All bidders and buyers of wine must be at least 21 years of age and shall present satisfying legal documentation of this at auction. In the event the buyer is a partnership or corporate entity, the receiver of the wine shall furnish proof fulfilling this criteria. 2. Some of the lots in this sale are offered subject to a reserve. The reserve is a confidential minimum price agreed upon by the consignor and Skinner, Inc., below which the lot will not be sold. In most cases, the reserve will be set below the estimated range, but in no case will it exceed the estimates listed. A representative of Skinner, Inc. will execute such reserves by bidding for the consignor. In any event, and whether or not a lot is subject to a reserve, Skinner, Inc. and Lower Falls Wine Co. may reject any bid or raise not commensurate with the value of such lot. 3. All property is sold “as is,” and neither Skinner, Inc. and Lower Falls Wine Co. nor any consignor makes any warranties or representation or any kind or nature with respect to the property, and in no event shall they be responsible for the correctness, nor deemed to have made any representation or warranty, or description, genuineness, authorship, attribution, provenance, period, culture, source, origin, or condition of the property and no statement made at the sale, or in the bill of sale, or invoice, or in the catalog, or elsewhere shall be deemed such a warranty of representation or an assumption of liability. Prospective buyers are urged to inspect those lots they have interest in. 4. Except as provided in paragraph 1 above, the highest bidder as determined by Skinner, Inc. shall be the purchaser. In the case of a disputed bid, the auctioneer shall have sole discretion in determining the purchaser and may also, at his or her election, withdraw the lot or reoffer the lot for sale. The auctioneer shall have sole discretion to refuse any bid, or refuse to acknowledge any bidder. Please note Massachusetts state law requires all purchasers of alcoholic beverages be at least 21 years of age. Any bidder that plans on spending in excess of $100,000 should make arrangements with the accounting department at least five (5) days in advance of the sale, as a deposit may be required to participate. 5. All merchandise purchased is payable directly to Skinner Inc., and must be paid for the day of the auction. All merchandise must be removed from Lower Falls Wine Co. within forty five (45) days of the auction, and in no event shall Skinner Inc. or Lower Falls Wine Co. have any liability for any damage to property left on its premises for more than fourteen (14) days after the sale. Lower Falls Wine Co. may impose, and the purchaser agrees to pay, a monthly storage fee per lot as determined by Lower Falls Wine Co. (see Collection of Wines). If any property has not been removed within forty five (45) days from the date of sale, at the option of Skinner, Inc. and Lower Falls Wine Co. (a) the merchandise may be transferred to and stored at a bonded warehouse and the purchaser agrees to pay all transfer and storage expenses, and/or (b) Skinner Inc. and Lower Falls Wine Co. may place the merchandise in a subsequent auction, without Reserve, to be sold to the highest bidder, and after deducting the standard commission and any additional charges that may apply, remit the proceeds to the purchaser. 6. Acceptable forms of payment are cash, good check, or wire transfers, payable in U.S. dollars. Checks will be acceptable only if credit has been established with Skinner or if a bank authorization has been received guaranteeing the check. Skinner, Inc. and Lower Falls Wine Co. reserve the right to hold merchandise purchased until the funds have cleared the bank. The purchaser agrees to pay Skinner and/or Lower Falls Wine Co. a handling charge of $25.00 for any check dishonored by the drawee. 7. If the purchaser breaches any of its obligations under these Conditions of Sale, including its obligation to pay in full the purchase price of all items for which it was the highest successful bidder, Skinner Inc. and Lower Falls Wine Co. may exercise all of its rights and remedies under the law including, without limitation, (a) canceling the sale and applying any payments made by the purchaser to the damages caused by the purchaser’s breach, and/or (b) offering at public auction, without reserve, any lot or item for which the purchaser has breached any of its obligations, including its obligation to pay in full the purchase price, holding the purchaser liable for any deficiency plus all costs of sale. 8. In no event will the liability of Skinner, Inc. and Lower Falls Wine Co. to any purchaser with respect to any item exceed the purchase price actually paid by such purchaser for such item. 9. Lower Falls Wine Co. may, in their discretion and at purchaser’s request, package and arrange for delivery as directed by the purchaser. In such event, purchaser agrees that (a) all such packaging, handling and delivery is at the sole risk of the purchaser and that Skinner, Inc. and Lower Falls Wine Co. shall have no liability for any loss or damage to such items, and (b) purchaser shall pay in advance, all packaging expenses, including labor, materials, carriers fees and all insurance charges. Please arrange seventy-two (72) hours in advance for collection and delivery. Purchaser shall make itself aware of the limitations and restrictions imposed by various states in regards to the transportation and importation of alcoholic beverages and purchaser has the sole responsibility to research and comply with all permit and licensing requirements. Neither Skinner, Inc. nor Lower Falls Wine Co. shall be responsible for obtaining any permits or licenses on behalf of purchaser and no sale shall be cancelled or refunded for lack of purchaser’s noncompliance with permitting and licensing issues. (Please see Collection of Wines) 10. A premium equal to 25% of the final bid price up to and including $250,000, plus 20% of the final bid price from $250,001 up to and including $3,000,000, plus 12% of the final bid price from $3,000,001 and over will be applied to each lot sold, to be paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. 11. Bidding on any item indicates your acceptance of these terms and all other terms printed within, posted, and announced at the time of sale whether bidding in person, through a representative, by phone, by Internet, or other absentee bid. 12. Skinner, Inc. and its consignors make no warranty or representation, express or implied, that the purchaser will acquire any copyright or reproduction rights to any lot sold. Skinner, Inc. expressly reserves the right to reproduce any image of the lots sold in this catalog. The copyright in all images, illustrations and written material produced by or for Skinner, Inc. relating to a lot, including the contents of this catalog, is, and shall remain at all times, the property of Skinner, Inc. and shall not be used by the purchaser, nor by anyone else, without our prior written consent. 13. These conditions of sale shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (excluding the laws applicable to conflicts or choice of law). The buyer/bidder agrees that any suit for the enforcement of this agreement may be brought, and any action against Skinner in connection with the transactions contemplated by this agreement shall be brought, in the courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any federal court sitting therein. The bidder/buyer consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts and waives objections that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such suit. C. Firearms 1. Post-1898 firearms must be registered in compliance with federal law. 2. Federal Firearms License purchases only. 3. To purchase with a Curio & Relic License, the gun must be listed as acceptable on the ATF list for collectors of curios. www.atf.gov/sites/default/files/assets/pdf-files/p-5300-11-firearms-curios-or-relics-list.pdf 4. Bidder must provide FFL information upon registration to bid. We highly recommend registering in advance, please contact William Madden at 508.970.3283. 5. Bidders who do not have a valid FFL must provide Skinner with a license for an FFL transfer agent upon registering to bid, and upon receipt of the agent’s FFL, the firearm must be shipped to the transfer agent, not the buyer/winner of the auction. 6. A transfer agent can charge for handling the transfer. It is the buyer/winner’s responsibility to pay for and make arrangements for an agent prior to registering to bid. CONDITION OF FIREARMS AND ANTIQUE ARMS. Skinner, Inc. (“Skinner”) makes no warranties or representations whatsoever, and no employee or consultant of Skinner, Inc. has the authority to make any warranties or representations, concerning any firearms or antique arms, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES REGARDING MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE OR PURPOSE, as well as any express or implied warranties or representations regarding the operation, condition, reliability, safety to store or transport, or legality to purchase, own, store, transport or resell any firearms or antique arms. Use of any firearms or antique arms purchased at Skinner is entirely at the user’s risk. Skinner recommends that all weapons purchased at auction be examined by a competent gunsmith. Skinner disclaims any liability whatsoever for accident, injury or damage resulting to any person or property from the purchase, sale, transport, storage or use of any firearms or antique arms purchased through Skinner. All other Terms & Conditions of Sale at Skinner remain applicable, please refer to Conditions of Sale