Meskwaki Wood Heddle, with Horses

mid-19th century

height 8 inches x width 9-1/2 inches

...the carving of horseheads on wooden utensils and pipes has a long history among the Great Lakes Indians. The prototype of these images is a dragon-like effigy carved on pipe bowls by these Indians. Gradual change resulted in the stylized horseheads of the 1860s. This stylistic convergence of dragon and horse was not accidental; horses were believed to have originated from the Underworld, the realm ruled over by a dragon-like deity.

Native symbolism is often multi-layered though; by carving the two horse-heads nudging each other amorously the Mesquakie carver conveyed his warm feelings for the female recipient of this heddle (Brasser 2007)

Included is a copy of a typed essay on Great Lakes heddles by Ted Brasser.

Previously sold at Cowan's Auctions: American Indian and Western Art (March 31, 2007: lot 521).

With stand.

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Danica Farnand

Vice President, Head of Department, Native American Art

danicafarnand@freemansauction.com 513.666.4935

Ms. Farnand has helmed the Native American Art department since its inception at Cowan's Auctions in 2003, developing it into one of the most respected and successful departments in the category. Throughout her career, Ms. Farnand has sold over $50 million in Native Art, and has created focused and curated auctions for 19th and 20th century Native works, Jewelry, and Modern and Contemporary Native and Indigenous Arts. A distinguished expert in her field, Ms. Farnand is a respected voice in the ongoing dialogue between Native American tribal groups and the collecting community regarding culturally significant objects, serving as a board member of the Authentic Tribal Art Dealers Association (ATADA) since 2019, and spearheading the effort to return a sacred Ahayu:da wooden figure to its rightful home in the Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico in 2020. She has also been an appraiser on Antiques Roadshow since 2016. Ms. Farnand holds an M.A. in Anthropology from the University of Cincinnati and a B.A. in Art History from John Carroll University.

Native American Art, Session I

Meskwaki Wood Heddle, with Horses

Native American Art, Session I

Meskwaki Wood Heddle, with Horses

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