A RARE YUROK FEATHER HEADDRESS

Christie's charge a buyer's premium of 20.825% of … Read more

Details

A RARE YUROK FEATHER HEADDRESS
The rectangular skin panel with attached broad central band of red and grey woodpecker feathers bordered by hide bands with white deer hide, the top with bands of red and black feathers and white hair, hide straps for attachment and wood ribs to the back, inscribed on the back: Sam Smith 8/46 Yurok-Klamath
76cm. wide

Special notice

Christie's charge a buyer's premium of 20.825% of the hammer price for lots with values up to NLG 200,000. If the hammer price exceeds the NLG 200,000 then the premium is calculated at 20.825% of the first NLG 200,000 plus 11.9% of any amount in excess of NLG 200,000. Ivory and Endangered Species Prospective purchasers are advised that certain property offered may be subject to Dutch legislation relating to endangered species and environmental conservation. The export of any of these lots may require a special license from the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) office. Several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials of endangered species such as ivory, tortoiseshell, rhinoceros horn, and whalebone. Irrespective of percentage, prospective purchasers should familiarise themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import any such property into another country. Whilst Christie's is pleased to assist buyers with applications for export and import permits, buyers are reminded that they are ultimately responsible for satisfying export and import regulations and Christie's cannot guarantee the successful outcome of license applications. Please contact the Tribal Art dept if you have any further questions.

Lot Essay

Cf. Rabineau, P., Feather Arts, Chicago, 1979, p.26, where a photograph shows a group of dancers wearing similar headdresses. The author states: "Traditionally, wealthy families accumulated stores of these bands, and outfitted teams of dancers who performed the Jumping Dance in conjunction with annual ceremonies celebrating harvests of acorn and salmon, and consecrating the world for the coming year. Dance teams from several villages competed in these displays of wealth, with the number of team members and the splendor of their costuming increasing over the course of the performance".

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