Tribal Artery

Aboriginals Gallery is featured in Architectural Disgets

2009-07-01T19:23:00.004-04:00

William & Susanne Waites are very excited to announce that one of the Australian Aboriginal dot paintings in their collection has been featured in Architectural Digest.

If you can get your hands on a copy of Architectural Digest's August 2009 issue, you will find a painting from Aboriginals Gallery's collection on page 65.

We count Architectural Digest as one of the most prestigious publications in the world when it comes to home decor.

Imagine our excitement when we were told that Architectural Digest was interested in including an image of one of our paintings in their August issue. Of course, one always waits with crossed fingers that the editors won't change their minds.

Then it arrived in the mail and - voila - there it was.

The work itself is a painting by Aborigine artist, Johnny Scobie Japananga, painted by him in 1990.

For pictures of this and other authentic Australian Aboriginal paintings, you are invited to visit TribalWorks.com Australian Art Room Perhaps you will find something you like.

Tribal art loses a great and talented Zuni artist

2009-06-27T11:50:00.006-04:00

We were saddened, as were all of our friends and associates in Zuni and the field of Zuni art, to learn that Jeff Tsalabutie was killed in an truck accident early this week. All details are not available and, out of respect for Zuni traditions, we held back on this announcement for a period of grieving.

And grieve we do.

Jeff was more than a fine carver with a whimsical and creative style.

He was a friend.

Whenever we would see him in Zuni, Albuquerque or Santa Fe, we always were greeted with a huge smile and a hearty "Hello, how are you?"

We enjoyed being with him, even on those occasions when he had sold out his work by the time got to him. He was instrumental in our ability to meet other young, talented Zuni carvers, who we are sure will miss him as much or more than we will.

We send our condolences to Jeff's wife and son and other members of his extended family.

Rest well, Jeff. You have left behind an inspiration for all who create.

Tribal Art - Final Days for 35% off Native American jewelry sale

2009-06-21T14:10:00.010-04:00

This fabulous Charlene Reano, Santo Domingo necklace was purchased for 35% off during Native American jewelry sale.

The purchaser was almost breathless when she discovered the sale. That sentiment was apparent when she notified us that it arrived at her home.

There still are many similarly beautiful and bargain priced pieces available at 35% off the list price.

But only for six more days. We have extended the closing date for the sale through Saturday, June 27, 2009.

Our recommendation? Visit the website at Native-JewelryLink.com by clicking on this link, surf through cases and find something you can't resist at 35% off.

Place your order by Saturday and we will automatically reduce the listed price by 35%.

Elizabeth Manygoats Medical Fund by Tribal Artery

2009-06-16T13:59:00.002-04:00

Aboriginals: Art of the First Person has been notified that Elizabeth Manygoats, whose Navajo pottery has been at the forefront of an evolving pictorial technique, was in an automobile accident while returning home from the Native Treasures Show in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her brother was traveling with her and was killed.

Elizabeth remains in serious condition. Her medical and other care must be paid for from the modest income she has earned as a Navajo potter. She needs financial help. Donations may be made to Elizabeth Manygoats Medical Fund (#9015707327) at any Wells Fargo Bank office. Additional information is available from Ron Martinez, 928-380-3085.

Please be generous even as Elizabeth has been generous with donations of her work in support of the Native American artistic community.

Tribal Art - New Navajo Folk Art Arrives

2009-06-15T10:45:00.014-04:00

At Aboriginals/TribalWorks, we have long admired Navajo artists' wonderful tradition of folk art.

Ranging from chickens to totemic figures to critters like owls and farm animals, there is a wonderful inventiveness and sense of humor to this work.

This blog features new pieces that have arrived in our collection, based on continuous demand for chickens and owls. Click on each image to go to pages with larger pictures and more details.

Green & White Chicken by Jim & Jessie John, 13" tall

Red & White Chicken by Guy and Edith John, 9" tall

Blue & black chicken by Guy & Edith John, 12" tall

Red owl by Guy and Edith John, 7 1/2" tall

Blue owl by Guy & Edith John, 7" tall

White and black chicken by Guy & Edith John, 15 1/2" tall

Blue and white chicken by Edith & Guy John, 18" tall

Of course, with July 4th right around the corner, we would be unpatriotic not to point out the red, white and blue pieces that come from Navajo folk artists.

Be sure to click on the images to go to pages with larger images and more information about each piece of Navajo folk art

Tribal Art - Feds indict thieves of Native American artifacts.

2009-06-11T11:48:00.005-04:00

June 11, 2009 - Federal authorities indicted 24 people Wednesday on charges of selling, buying or exchanging archaeological artifacts stolen from Native American lands.

According to a news release from the Department of Justice, burial and ceremonial masks, decorated pottery and a buffalo-hide headdress are included.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar is quoted as saying, "Let this case serve notice to anyone who is considering breaking these laws and trampling our nation's cultural heritage that the BLM [Bureau of Land Management], the Department of Justice and the federal government will track you down and bring you to justice,"

Salazar was in Salt Lake City, Utah, to announce the crackdown. Officials said the artifacts -- some stolen from grave sites -- were taken from the Four Corners area, where the state borders of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico come together. The area has a rich history of Native American culture.

256 artifacts worth about $335,685 were recovered, in culmination of an investigation that lasted more than two years and included about 150 agents and an insider informer.

If convicted, those indicted face possible sentences of from one to 10 years in prison for violating the Archaeological Resources Protection Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation.

A tip of the tips hat to Khadijah Rentas, CNN

Tribal Artery - Mashantucket Pequot Schemitzun cancelled

2009-06-09T20:22:00.005-04:00

The Mashantucket Pequot tribe of Connecticut has announced that it's annual pow-wow event, Schemitzun, has canceled the event for 2009. According to Lori Potter, a spokesperson for the tribe made the announcement while indicating that it was part of the tribal governements plans to reduce expenses in this time of economic stress.

The Mashantucket Pequot also operate the Native America casino called Foxwoods Resort Casino. The event, also known as the Feast of Green Corn and Dance, was launched in 1992. It has been held at the Miner Farm on Winecthog Hill Road, North Stonington , CT. where hundrds of Native Americans competed in dances and rodeo acts, and native American booths sold art, clothing and jewelry. There also were demonstrations of various Native American crafts.

In canceling the event, the tribe graciously thanked all those who had participated in the event and supported it in the past.

It is unclear whether or not the event will be reinstated when economic conditions improve.

Aboriginals:Art of the First Person, owners of websites that feature Native American art, carvings, pottery and jewelry, regrets the loss of a major event such as this. We big fans of powwows and encourage all our readers to patronize any that are held where you live or visit.

Tribal Art - Stolen Objects Alert

2009-06-07T09:40:00.005-04:00

As members of the Antique Tribal Art Dealers Association, we receive alerts whenever there is a report of stolen objects.

We have just learned of thefts from a shipment from New York to San Francisco. Photos of the missing objects have been posted to the ATADA website page designated for that purpose. http://www.ATADA.org/theft.html#loux09

If you encounter any of these objects in your dealings with collectors, dealers or individuals wanting to sell them, please notify the San Francisco police department.

Do not be tempted to buy any of these items. They are stolen merchandise. Having stolen merchandise in your possession is a crime and the items may be confiscated by authorities. There is no statute of limitations concerning stolen goods in the USA according to the ATADA.

This alert is brought to you by Aboriginals: Art of the First Person with websites for African tribal art and Australian Aboriginal art at Tribalworks.com, for Native American jewelry at Native-JewelryLink.com, for Native American Pueblo Pottery at Native-PotteryLink.com and for Zuni and other American Indian fetish carvings at ZuniLink.com

Thank you.

Off Topic but Important for Americans

2009-05-23T10:41:00.004-04:00

This Monday, Americans pause to salute and say thank you to the brave men and women who fought and died to defend the freedom of their country.

In my opinion, nothing quite reflects the fact that these brave souls began dying early on in our history as a nation, and continue to do so today, better than these lyrics, written in 1812 by Francis Scott Key, during the battle at Fort Henry.

We forget them at our peril.

Tribal Art - New artist at Tony Bond art

2009-05-21T12:45:00.002-04:00

Here at Aboriginals Gallery, also known as TribalWorks, an online gallery offering Australian Aboriginal art and artifacts, we received the following letter from our good friend, Tony Bond of Adelaide, South Australia.

We have purchased from Tony and have been guests in his home. He and his family are top-drawer people.

I recommend a visit to his web site to see the work of his artists.

"Dear Art Collector,

We are now proudly representing Ian Abdulla at AP Bond Art Dealer.

He is a wonderful addition to our gallery and his works contrasts the works from the community based art centres we represent.

Ian has for the last decade been one of South Australia’s most acclaimed Aboriginal artists.

His first solo show with us “Yarns” will be opened by Brenda Croft on Thursday the 11^th June at 6pm.

Ian is one of Australia’s best know “Outsider” artists his paintings depict scenes and narratives from his life growing up and living on the River Murray and has works in the collections of National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth, Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra,Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery, Darwin.

Today we have added several of Ian’s works exclusively for sale on our website www.bondaboriginalart.com

The selection we have of small works of acrylic on board are available for customers on this email database for $785 each. Prices for the larger works on application.

Yours Sincerely

Tony Bond

AP Bond Art Dealer

Please note new gallery address:

135 Magill Road, Stepney, SA 5067 "

Tribal art - Nine baskets you've never seen before

2009-05-18T08:14:00.013-04:00

Just about every culture with access to vegetation has had a basket-making history. Among them are the Aborigines of Central Australia.

With little or no resources for pottery-making, a nomadic lifestyle that required regular movement from campsite to campsite and extensive pandanus fiber resources, Australian Aborigines have a rich and vital basket-making tradition.

Even today, at least as recently as the 1990s, Aborigines were weaving baskets for everyday needs such as gathering foods, carrying possessions and even providing shelter for children, and for sale to basket and ethnographic art collectors.

Pandanus fiber, ochres,
dyed emu feathers

Beautiful, colorful, intricately woven baskets are produced by hand throughout Aboriginal Australia. Some the most striking are created in the Northern Territory area of Arnhem Land, served by art and cultural centers at Maningrida and Nhulumbuy.

The baskets are predominantly coiled, string or "dilly" bags. They are woven from various natural fibers such as those made from the leaves of the pandanus plant, the bark of trees like Kurrajong, Brachychiton diversifolius, Brachychiton paradoxum and Ficus virens.

These fibers are dyed in vivid oranges, yellows, reds, blacks and purples by boiling in ground up roots of plants like Pogonolobus reticulatus and wood ash from Eucalyptus alba.

Maningrida is a small community that sits on the remote northern coast of Australia's Arnhem Land at the estuary of the Liverpool River. During much of the year the community can be reached only by light aircraft. Nhulumbuy, also known as Gove, is an area where bauxite has been mined. It also situated on the northern coast and is reachable primarily by air, especially during the wet season.

We acquired several Australian Aboriginal baskets for our personal collection starting in 1990, in villages and towns of the Northern Territory. We have decided (reluctantly) to release these baskets for sale. You can learn more about them, which are shown in thumbnails below, and access a larger photograph of each, by clicking on each image.

W762 dilly bag

KC40 emu feather basket

CC20 dilly bag

W036 collecting bag

W764 collecting bag

W824 parrot feather bag

K128 canoe shape basket

W826 collecting basket and child cover

You may see these and other Australian Aboriginal baskets at our TribalWorks online gallery. We invite you to visit and share our passion for the ingenious weaving of these resourceful people.

A Zuni fetish sale - but not ours - Tribal Artery

2009-05-16T18:56:00.003-04:00

Okay. Call us stupid.

We are about to tell you about a sale of Zuni fetishes by another site that could be consider a "competitor".

Although, we prefer to think of everyone who sells what we sell as collaborators. The more you and others come to appreciate the beauty and importance of tribal art of any kind, the better it is all for all of us.

So, a visit to ZuniSpirits will reveal a current sale of Zuni fetish carvings at very reasonable prices (not necessarily more reasonable than our prices, but nevertheless reasonable prices- you can compare prices by visiting our ZuniLink site too.)

Another reason we like to support Zuni Spirits is because they are faithful supporters of the Zuni people and Zuni carvers. We have many carver friends in common.

From our standpoint, it is more importnat that you add a Zuni fetish carving to your life than who you choose to get it from.

Don't miss thisTribal Art auction - Nasser

2009-05-16T17:34:00.002-04:00

We have learned about an upcoming auction which is interesting for its limited lots and their high value. Check out http:www.nassertribalart.com to preview this auction set for Tuesday, May 19. The venerable Will Channing is collaborating.

If you see what you like, bid for us too. LOL

Susanne and William Waites at http:/www.TribalWorks.com

i WaNt 1 oF tHosE: Microsoft's Future Home. It can Talk, it can help you Cook, it can even give you Fashion Advice

2009-05-16T17:17:00.000-04:00

i WaNt 1 oF tHosE: Microsoft's Future Home. It can Talk, it can help you Cook, it can even give you Fashion Advice

Tribal Art - The Glory of Native Pottery

2009-05-10T13:43:00.006-04:00

If you missed the 9th Annual Pueblo Pottery Exhibit and Sale in New York City the weekend of May 1-3, you are not out of luck for finding and acquiring outstanding examples of Native American pottery making.

The referenced exhibit took place at the Hotel Beacon and included comments by Dr. Bruce Bernstein, PhD, a noted expert on the subject of pueblo pottery. Dr. Bernstein also is the Executive Director of the Southwest Association for Indian Art, headquartered in Santa Fe, NM. Also in attendance, according to advance publicity, were potters Nathan Youngblood, Virgil Ortiz, Susan Folwell and Verma Sequatewa.

According to Dr. Bernstein, "Pottery making offers artists a way to profitably fit an old pattern to contemporary needs and provides community members with a means to enter the American cash economy while staying at home, instead of traveling to urban centers for employment."

Stated in another way, Aboriginals: Art of the First Person owner, William Waites, describes pottery making by Native Americans, "as a way for non-native people to interact with one of the oldest Indian art forms, one which is still created in largely the same way it was generations ago."

Examples of this captivating art can be seen at the Native-PotteryLink website, which is open 24/7 and offers authentic Native American creations for sale, with a satisfaction guarantee.

(Left) Olla by Lela & Luther Guiterrez, Santa Clara

Tribal Art - Indian Market Looking for Volunteers

2009-05-10T13:23:00.004-04:00

If you live in or near Santa Fe, or could be in the area in August, you might find volunteering at the 88th Annual Santa Fe Indian Market a "hoot."

The Southwest Association for Indian Art, the organization that stages this annual extravaganza of authentic Indian art, has put out a call for volunteers.

The Santa Fe Indian Market depends on dedicated volunteers to realize its success. Hundreds of volunteers from across the country make the annual journey to Santa Fe to be a part of Indian Market.

"From the Sneak Preview of Award Winning Art to the Native American Clothing Contest, volunteers provide instrumental support to SWAIA staff and Indian Market artists. One thing that may not be evident to the casual observer is the connection that volunteers develop with the Indian Market itself. Volunteers positively affect the livelihoods of Native artists by managing the myriad of details involved with producing Indian Market, so that artists are afforded the opportunity to concentrate fully on sharing their magnificent artwork.

Time is moving swiftly as we prepare for the 88th Annual Santa Fe Indian Market which will be held on August 22 - 23, 2009, with volunteer preparation activities on August 17 - 21, 2009. It is the ideal time to join the SWAIA volunteer program. Please consider joining us to celebrate Native arts during this historic Santa Fe event."

For a complete list of volunteer opportunities and to apply online please visit www.swaia.org or call 505.983.5220 and ask for Cheryl James or Gomeo Bobelu.

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Aboriginals: Art of the First Person is a member of SWAIA and a strong supporter of Indian Market and the artists who exhibit and sell there. We also encourage fans of Native American art to volunteer. You will find the experience stimulating. The work of the artists also appears on the web pages at ZuniLink.com, Native-JewelryLink.com, Native-PotteryLink.com and TribalWorks.com. Whether shopping or just browsing, you are invited to visit these web sites and visually sample these beautiful works of art.

Tribal Art - Saving antiquity, one eBay sale at a time.

2009-05-07T11:36:00.005-04:00

Archaeologists, museums and preservers of ancient cultural heritage have long fretted over people who entered centers of pre-historic activity and looted items to sell to collectors and dealers, with no concern for the way the item was discovered and acquired. They have been concerned that important links to our past were being destroyed or removed from the cultural context required to understand them.

With eBay and web marketing blossoming, these guardians of our history became fearful that looters would be encouraged to steal and damage more. eBay would make it easier to sell their booty more easily.

In a recent article in Archaeology Magazine, Charles Stanish has offered up a different vision of eBay's influence on the market for stolen artifacts. Stanish, who is director of the Archaeological Institute of America, reports that eBay has had an opposite effect.

By popularizing the collection of artifacts and facilitating the sale of "fakes", eBay has encouraged a trade in manufactured fakes at prices so low that there is little or no profit in the hard work of stealing and taking the real thing to market.

In the wake of this, individual craftspeople have begun to make reproductions that are so good they even fool the "experts". They also create objects that are not identical copies but reflect the design elements and use authentic materials in ways that make them collectibles in their own right. They can be acquired at prices that provide competition to real, authentic items looted from graves sites and archaeological digs.

As with so many things in life, the side effects often are more significant than the intended purpose.

The referenced article is oriented to antiquities and artifacts from Andean cultures. But the observations are equally applied to other fields of study and collection of material culture. For example, there is a continuing, occasionally incendiary, discussion on certain websites about African Tribal Art. What is authentic, what is antique and what is new and made for market?
And how can you tell?

One indicator, in my opinion, is the price. If you see an item offered in the semi-anonymous realm of eBay at a ridiculously low price, chances are almost absolute that it is a fake or, to be more polite in some cases, a reproduction.

Even works that have been authenticated by curators and other people paid for their expertise can be less than they are presented as. Increasingly, these "experts" are being trained with fakes that are presented to them as authentic.

At one time, certain testing regimens would reveal if something is genuine or not. That too is becoming less reliable as crafts-people have learned how to use materials identical those used in the making of the item 1,000 years ago.

Moving to the area of Native American Indian art, eBay has taken steps to prevent some items from being misrepresented as Native American in origin. They required sellers to specify the tribal relationship and name of the artist for any piece represented as being made after 1934. Do you see the problem here? The prohibition does not apply to items claimed to have been created prior to 1934.

There are other protections. For items that are pre-historic or historic, Federal regulations require proof of legitimate acquisition. Items taken from public lands are contraband and may not be sold unless acquired prior to the enactment of laws protecting property that rightfully belongs to the public. For more recent items presented as Native American-made, the Indian Arts & Crafts Act applies. This is the law eBay cites to justify their requirements for posting contemporary Native American art.

There are other helpful resources.

o The Indian Arts & Crafts Association requires members to accurately represent items they sell. Members agree, upon penalty of expulsion, not to identify anything as Native American-made unless it is, in fact, made by Native Americans.

o Another resource is the Antique Tribal Art Dealers Association. This group has a stringent code of responsibility for correct identification of items offered for sale by members.

o There also are some discussion groups on Yahoo that are frequented by people with a lot of experience in artifact identification. One of them, artifakesgroup@yahoo.com, regularly highlights items, especially bead work, offered on eBay that members believe to be misrepresented.

Finally, one of your best protections is to work with dealer that you trust (membership in organization such as IACA and ATADA can be guides). Even then, there may be problems. Stanish tells of a dealer he went to in La Paz, Bolivia. He told the owner that many of her pieces were fake. Her reaction was one of anger. He then went through the displayed pieces and pronounced them "fake" or "real". Hooked by the author's apparent expertise, the owner decided to prove him wrong by grabbing one he had identified as "real" and telling him it was "fake" too.

The article, available on line, is an informative and entertaining read.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aboriginals: Art of the First Person, with web sites at ZuniLink.com, Native-JewelryLink.com, Native-PotteryLink.com and TribalWorks.com, deals in authentic, guaranteed tribal art. We support the protection of items of native patrimony.

Tribal Art - Sotheby's May 20 catalog on line

2009-05-01T11:15:00.004-04:00

Eighteen days from now, May 20, 2009 Sotheby's New york will hold an auction of American Indian Art including property from the Frieda and Milton Rosenthal Collection.

The catalog is online for web browsers at Sotheby's.

There are more than 200 lots ranging in estimates from US$5,000 to US$80,000

Among the higher end pieces are Chilkat blankets, Haida rattles, Navajo weavings and historic pottery from the Southwestern Pueblos. Baskets also are well represented.

In addition to browsing through the catalog on line, you can order a copy of the catalog for purchase. We find these printed catalogs, which usually are followed by a 'prices realized sheet' if requested, can be valuable resources for determining values of similar items you may be considering buying or selling.

Oh, yes. You also can bid on line. Be sure to read the terms and conditions. An auction house premium is added to the winning bid.

Whether you bid or not, however, an auction like this can be very educational. At Aboriginals: Art of the First Person and our websites at Tribalworks.com, ZuniLink.com, Native-JewelryLink.com and Native-PotteryLink.com, we value informed buyers. We add our best thinking and experience to the educational mix. The more you know about an object of tribal art, the more you will enjoy owning it.

Tribal Art - What's authentic and Why it matters

2009-04-28T10:49:00.003-04:00

This embedded video features Tony Eriacho, Zuni artist and Indian Art authenticity activist, who talks about issues of authentic Indian art and their ramifications. Tony is a friend and trusted authority. I think the video is worth 8 minutes of your time.

We at Aboriginals: Art of the First Person have been members of the Indian Arts and crafts Association for 20 years and are strong believers in the principles that Tony advocates. We apply them to every thing we offer at ZuniLink, Native-JewelryLink, Native-PotteryLink and TribalWorks.

We invite your inspection and your questions.

Tribal Art - New Orleans Museum offers overview of African Art

2009-04-16T21:49:00.004-04:00

Tribal Works offers this from JacarandaTribal, a blog with a special expertise in African tribal art that we follow -

African Art from the Permanent Collection
Tuesday, April 28, 6-8 p.m.
Curator of African Art William Fagaly will use the Museum's collection to provide educators with a general overview of the arts of Africa. The objects in the galleries will help to shed light on the religious, social and artistic background of each culture represented. Overall themes within the collection will be highlighted, allowing educators to present the material to their students with ease. Education staff also will discuss classroom activities and suggestions for incorporating African art into a variety of curricula.

Thanks Jacaranda.

Tribal Art - Aboriginals granted full membership in the ATADA

2009-04-12T20:09:00.003-04:00

Aboriginals : Art of the First Person, operators of web sites at ZuniLink.com, Native-JewelryLink.com, Native-PotteryLink.com and TribalWorks.com, has been admitted to full membership in the prestigious Antique Tribal Art Dealers Association (ATADA).

ATADA has a rigorous code of ethics concerning business practices and representations of items offered for sale. The organization, however, recognizes that the most effect program to prevent misleading representation and the sale of fakes is an educated public. ATADA supports efforts to provide potential buyers with information and awareness they need to make wise purchases.

The organization also sponsors a Theft Alert program which publicizes art and antique items that have been reported as stolen. This program makes it almost impossible to sell stolen art to dealers and difficult to keep it where any knowledgable dealer or collector will see it. It has resulted in numerous stolen items being returned to their rightful owners.

Aboriginals and its allied web sites are proud to be members of ATADA and to be devoted to the principles and standards of the organization.

For more information about ATADA , visit their web site at www.atada.org

Tribal Art - Native American Indian jewelry being shipped to Australia

2009-04-05T15:40:00.004-04:00

We are in the process of packing up a shipment of Native American jewelry to go to a shop in Orange, NSW, Australia that has decided to offer this genre of jewelry to its customers.

We are always excited when others in the Tribal Arts. Native jewelry and allied fields believe in the works we offer and place their trust in us to deliver authentic, quality items of Tribal Art.
The name of the store is Earth Spirit - Natures Clothing and Giftware. If you are in or near Orange, Australia, please look them up and say hello.

For examples of the type of products that Earth Spirit will offer, check out our U. S. based Web site

In remembrance - Tyler Quam

2009-03-30T14:31:00.006-04:00

We have just received word that Zuni carver, Tyler Quam, has passed away.

He was a member of a family of carvers well known for their work. Tyler's sisters are Prudencia Quam, Georgette Quam His brothers are Eldred and Andrew Quam. He was also father of 2 children with Joanna Cheama.

We ask you to join us in prayers for the family at this time.

Tribal Art - Zemanek-Munster Tribal Arts Auction struggles

2009-03-30T13:49:00.003-04:00

According to Web sources, the most recent Zemanek-Munster tribal art auction, held twice a year, attracted a disappointing response.

As a result, the auctioneer has initiated an aftersale to move unsold lots.

For example, this is lot 138, a heddle pulley

Baule - shaped corpus with incised ornaments, front and backside carved with a buffalo head, bobbin missing, min. dam., slight signs of abrasion, on wooden plate

Price: 750 €

Or this example, lot 111, a stool

Gurunsi, Burkina Faso - light brown wood, spotty patina, of simple form, four strong legs supporting a nearly rectangular, slightly hollowed seat, min. dam., signs of usage and abrasion

Price: 300 €

Or this, lot 92, ape mask "ngon"

Bamana, Mali - wood, shiny blackish brown patina, of oval form, a slightly protruding forehead, open worked eyes in round cavities, flanking a triangular, slightly raised nose with drilled nostrils, a broad opened mouth underneath, framed by ears with drilled holes, pierced around the rim, min. dam., slight signs of abrasion, fissures; worn by the initiates of the "koré" society. They used animal masks, thus illustrating the relationship of humans with their own animalistic features.

Price: 2500 €

You can view these and some 258 other lots at Zemanek-Munster's web site. Or see similar items of African and Oceanic tribal art at TribalWorks .

Tribal Art - have some fun. Guess the carver.

2009-03-29T19:07:00.005-04:00

Often we get confused about who carved what.

Not that we didn't know and can't look it up.

But we look at a carving we have had for a while and we wonder, "Who carved that?"

Of course when we look it up in our records we say, "Of course, that's who the carver was."

So we thought we might turn it into a game and you might enjoy playing.
Is it Emery Eriacho?

Or Elroy Pablito?

Or a Quandelacy?

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|?

|?

|?

|?

|?

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If you guessed it was a Quandelacy, you must know a little something about fetish carvers.

But we're not done yet.

Which Quandelacy?

Click here to find out