Sioux Catlinite Pipe Bowl and Tobacco Bag, with Inscription: From Chief Joseph to Sitting Bull to Lt. Kennedy

fourth quarter 19th century

lot of 2, includes:

a T-shaped catlinite pipe bowl, with tapered anterior projection; carved inscription reads, FROM CHIEF JOSEPH NEZ PERCE TO SITTING BULL SIOUX. FROM SITTING BULL TO LT KENNEDY
length 6-1/2 inches x height 3-1/8 inches

a thread and sinew-sewn hide tobacco bag; with remnants of quilled rawhide slats and beaded geometric design in colors of red white-heart, cobalt, pea green, greasy yellow, periwinkle, and white
overall length 22-1/4 inches

Although it is unlikely that the pipe passed hands between Chief Joseph and Sitting Bull, a case could be made that the pipe was given to Sitting Bull, while he was in Canada, by a Nez Perce individual.
In 1877, Chief Joseph began his trek to Canada seeking asylum with Sitting Bull's band of Sioux. Even though Chief Joseph managed to outmaneuver U.S. troops for months, he eventually surrendered to General Nelson Miles after the Battle of Bear Paw, just 40 miles from the Canadian border. A few Nez Perce, under the leadership of White Bird, did not surrender and made it to Sitting Bull's camp, where a pipe could have been given by the two parties.
The Lieutenant Kennedy identified on the inscription is likely Chase W. Kennedy (1859-1936). Lieutenant Kennedy was a West Point graduate and stationed at Fort Meade and Fort Sully in South Dakota with the 3rd Infantry, between 1888-1891. There is no documentation connecting Lieutenant Kennedy directly to Sitting Bull, however he was in the right areas at the right time making a trade possible.

Purchased from a Beverly Hills Estate

Tobacco bag is in relic condition.

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Danica Farnand

Vice President, Head of Department, Native American Art

[email protected]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.

Erin Rust

Associate Vice President, Specialist, Native American Art

[email protected]513.666.4947

Erin Rust is a specialist in the Native American, Prehistoric & Tribal Art department at Hindman.
Ms. Rust began as a specialist in Native American Art and Artifacts at Cowan’s Auctions in 2017, with a focus on Native jewelry and Midwestern prehistoric artifacts. She has also worked on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana and on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Ms. Rust holds a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design with a minor in History, concentrating in Native Studies, from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ms. Rust also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

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Sioux Catlinite Pipe Bowl and Tobacco Bag, with Inscription: From Chief Joseph to Sitting Bull to Lt. Kennedy

fourth quarter 19th century

Purchased from a Beverly Hills Estate

Tobacco bag is in relic condition.

Please email for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Native American Art, Session I

Sioux Catlinite Pipe Bowl and Tobacco Bag, with Inscription: From Chief Joseph to Sitting Bull to Lt. Kennedy

Native American Art, Session I

Sioux Catlinite Pipe Bowl and Tobacco Bag, with Inscription: From Chief Joseph to Sitting Bull to Lt. Kennedy

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