Two Mojave Dolls, ca. 1890-1910

About Auction

Live

Native American Art: Session 2

By Santa Fe Art Auction

Feb 7, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-02-07 13:30:00 2021-02-07 13:30:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Native American Art: Session 2 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/santa-fe/native-american-art-session-2-6360
Session Two features two remarkable private collections from Mark Blackburn, comprising an extensive and rare collection of Tesuque Rain Gods, and another of Mojave Dolls, along with a very early Hopi figural grouping that appears in Julian Scott’s 1890 Census Report. Santa Fe Art Auction info@santafeartauction.com

View Full Catalog (191)

• Lot Description
  Mojave
  Two Dolls, ca. 1890-1910clay, pigment
  Female Dollthe figure having traditional tattoo designs throughout, a black and white glass seed bead necklace, and earrings
  height 4 1/2 in. (11.43 cm.), With Stand: 5 3/4 x 2 1/2 x 1 3/4 in. (14.61 x 6.35 x 4.45 cm.)
  Male Doll
  the figure having traditional tattoo designs throughout, black and white glass seed bead earrings and necklace, with a red and blue cloth skirt6 1/2 in. (16.51 cm.), With Stand: 7 x 2 3/4 x 2 in. (17.78 x 6.99 x 5.08 cm.)
  The Mark Blackburn Collection
  
  
  From the Collector: Mojave dolls have always fascinated me from the first time I saw them in a gun show in Pasadena when I was nine years old. As a native Californian, I also had a great affinity to the Mojave people and spent many years in the area as a Boy Scout, hiking and enjoying the outdoors. The figures are modeled from unfired clay, making them quite fragile and scarce. The Mojave people had a long tradition of pottery making; with the advent of the railroad, the women created these effigies in both human and animal form, along with a wide array of vessels to sell to the early, emerging tourist market. By emphasizing the head, eyes, and large feet of the dolls, the figures were able to stand unaided. Male and Female dolls were dressed to represent their gender. Male dolls wear loin cloths made from trade cloth, while female dolls are dressed in skirts. Both sexes wear beaded necklaces and earrings, along with horsehair for hair. These dolls have always appealed to me, not only for their historical value, but for their sculptural elements as well. Very few people realized that I collected them – in a way, a sort of secret, mysterious passion. Many of the examples in this collection that were acquired over many years are quite remarkable in their depictions of the Mojave people. Also, as someone who has always been interested in body art, the tattoo designs had great aesthetic appeal to me. Several of the dolls here are from notable collections such as Rick Dillingham, among others. In closing, I hope the next owners will enjoy them as much as I did.
  - Mark Blackburn, Honolulu, Hawaii
  
  From expert Robert Gallegos:
  The Mojave have inhabited their ancestral lands up to 1000 years and are one of the tribes that make up the larger Yuman family. Some of the larger groups are the Walapai, Yavapai, Quechans, Maricopas, Diegueno, Havasupai, Cocopah, etc. In the pre-contact era, the Mojave occupied parts of Nevada, Arizona and California. Aside from brief contacts with the Spaniards in 1504 (Alarcon) and 1604 (De Vargas), the Mojave were left in peace for the next 150 years as they were too far from missions in California and Mexico to be controlled effectively. Between 1760 and 1848, the Spanish and non-native trappers and traders made many ventures into Mojave lands, causing tension and rebellion. In 1849, the gold rush in California created the need to map the unexplored territories of the West in order to find better routes to connect the East to the West. By the 1860s and 1870s, the Mojave lost much of their lands and were placed on reservations. With the establishment of the railroad through Needles in 1883, a healthy tourist market created ample opportunities for the Mojave women to sell their wares – pottery dolls, pottery animals, and traditional beadwork, including collars. The pottery dolls no doubt had earlier connections. However, the dolls mostly represented themselves as the tourists wanted something “Indian looking.” They also had that “sacred look” that early ethnographers were seeking to sell to museums back East. The notion of the “disappearing Indian” was well-rooted in museum doctrine. Other tribes such as the Quechan/Yumas have made similar dolls. It has been suggested by some that you can tell whether a doll is made by the Mojave or Yumas by some attributes such as holes in the top of the head to affix hair. More research is required before I can be more specific. By all accounts, these dolls were originally made for sale to early tourists.

  Condition

  The dolls appear to be in original, unrestored condition.
  
  The condition reports for the lots offered by Santa Fe Art Auction (SFAA) are provided as a courtesy and convenience for potential buyers. The reports are not intended to nor do they substitute for physical examination by a buyer or the buyer’s advisors. The condition reports are prepared by SFAA staff members who are not art conservators or restorers, nor do they possess the qualifications needed for comprehensive evaluation. Each condition report is an opinion of the staff member and should not be treated as a statement of fact. The absence of a condition report does not imply anything as to the condition of a particular lot. Buyers are reminded that the limited warranties are set forth in the Terms and Conditions of Sale and do not extend to condition. Each lot is sold as-is.
• Shipping Info

  • The Santa Fe Art Auction may, in its discretion and at a Buyer’s request, pack and ship items as directed by the Buyer. In such event, Buyer agrees to the following conditions:
    1. All such packing, handling and shipping is at the sole risk of the Buyer and the Santa Fe Art Auction shall have no liability for any loss or damage to such items, and
    
    
    2. Buyer shall pay all related expenses in advance. Buyer should allow four to six weeks for shipping from the date of the auction.
     

    SANTA FE ART AUCTION IS PLEASED TO PRESENT THE FOLLOWING SHIPPING OPTIONS. PURCHASES SHALL NOT BE RELEASED UNTIL PAYMENT IS RECEIVED IN FULL.

     

    _____ I would like to pick up my artworks from Santa Fe Art Auction.

    Arrangements for pick up must be made within 2 weeks post sale via email or telephone. I understand that I may be liable for New Mexico Sales tax.

     

    _____ I would like my artwork to be released to a third-party shipping company (selected below).

    If I select this method of shipping, I understand I must sign and deliver to the Santa Fe Art Auction the Release and Insurance Waiver below.

     

    The UPS Store

    3201-C Zafarano Drive

    Santa Fe, NM 87505

    Telephone: 505-438-2427

    store6324@theupsstore.com

     

    PAKMAIL

    369 Montezuma Avenue

    Santa Fe, NM 87501

    Telephone: 505-989-7380

    Website: weshipsantafe.com.

     

    Art Handlers LTD

    1570 Pacheco St. Suite A-1

    Santa Fe, NM 87505

    Telephone: 505-982-0228

    info@arthandlers.com

     

     

    Other:

    Company Name / Authorized Agent _____________________________

    Address __________________________

    Telephone __________________

    E-mail ____________________

     

    RELEASE & INSURANCE WAIVER

    1. I, ________________ ("Purchaser") have paid for and own the following art: Lot (s) # ________________ (hereinafter "Work(s) of Art").
    2. I want my Work(s) of Art shipped via this shipper: ___________ ("Shipper"). Santa Fe Art Auction ("SFAA") is hereby directed to release the Work(s) of Art to Shipper at SFAA's location in Santa Fe, New Mexico on a date stated in writing to SFAA by Purchaser.
    3. SFAA shall be released and discharged from any and all duties of care owing from SFAA to Purchaser and Purchaser hereby unconditionally waives any and all claims against SFAA.
    4. Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that SFAA, and any of their agents do not carry specific insurance for the Work(s) of Art listed. The Purchaser has agreed to arrange or cause to be arranged the insurance for the transit and handling of the property. SFAA shall bear no responsibility for the adequacy of the Purchaser's insurance.
    5. Upon delivery of the Work (s) of Art to Shipper, and at all times thereafter, Purchaser shall indemnify and hold SFAA harmless from and against any and all claims related to the Work(s) of Art, directly or indirectly, however such claims may arise.
    6. Purchaser affirms to SFAA that Purchaser has the authority to execute and perform this Release.

     

    __________________________________________________                                       

    Buyers Signature                                                         Date                                           

     

    ADDENDUM: Request for Frame Removal

    ** I, _________________________ ("Purchaser") hereby request the following Lot(s) ______________ be removed from the frame by SFAA prior to release to my selected Shipper.

    1. Such service shall be provided to the Purchaser at a cost of $_____________ per Lot.
    2. The Purchaser shall hold harmless SFAA for any and all claim(s), for any loss or damage howsoever occurring, irrespective of negligence, including any claim expense or consequential loss while handling, removing from frame or uninstalling.

• Buyer's Premium
  • 23.00 %