Charles Bird King Lithograph "Little-Crow" (1838)
**Originally Listed At $250**
After Charles Bird King (American, 1785-1862) Lithograph, "Little-Crow, A Sioux Chief" Hand-colored lithograph from McKenney, Thomas L. & Hall, James. "History of the Indian Tribes of North America. Published in Philadelphia: F.W. Greenough, 1838. "Drawn, Printed & Coloured at the I. T. Bowen's Lithographic Establishment, No. 94, Walnut St." A wonderful, bust-length lithograph portrait of the Sioux Chief Little-Crow (Dakota, 1770-1827), facing forward with sloped shoulders wrapped in a heavy blanket and a bandana tied around his neck. His stern visage displays a wrinkled brow above sensitive eyes, a curved nose, and closed lips flanked by heavy nasolabial folds, all surmounted by a wavy, chin-length coiffure brushed back. A fabulous example of Charles Bird King's artwork, who was best known for his portrayals of important Native American leaders. Size of page: 14.1" W x 21" H (35.8 cm x 53.3 cm); of cardboard backing: 17.6" W x 24" H (44.7 cm x 61 cm)
Also known to his tribe as The Sacred Pigeon-hawk Which Comes Walking, Little Crow was a noble Sioux chief of the Kaposia band, which resided on the east bank of the Mississippi. He fought for the British in the War of 1812 and traveled to Washington in 1824 as the leader of a Sioux delegation.
When leaders of various Native American tribes visited President Monroe, McKenney, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs and a champion of Native American interests, commissioned artists including Charles Bird King to paint portraits of the delegates in their choice of dress. Unfortunately, most of King's original paintings later burned in a fire at the Smithsonian. Given this, the lithographs published in McKenney and Hall's "Indian Tribes of North America" are the only surviving records of the likenesses of many important 19th century Native American leaders.
Other printings of this lithograph have been collected by the Smithsonian American Art Museum (object number 1985.66.153,210), the Amon Carter Museum of American Art (accession number 2004.19.37), National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C. (object number NPG.99.167.12), and the Royal Academy of the Arts (object Number 18/1547).
Provenance: private Idledale, Colorado, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#183557
Condition Report: Minor tears and losses to edges of paper as well as small perforations from book binding along left side as shown. Normal toning with a few minor stains to the sheet as shown. Vivid image with strong hues. Accompanied by protective film cover and taped to cardboard backing.
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**Originally Listed At $250**
After Charles Bird King (American, 1785-1862) Lithograph, "Little-Crow, A Sioux Chief" Hand-colored lithograph from McKenney, Thomas L. & Hall, James. "History of the Indian Tribes of North America. Published in Philadelphia: F.W. Greenough, 1838. "Drawn, Printed & Coloured at the I. T. Bowen's Lithographic Establishment, No. 94, Walnut St." A wonderful, bust-length lithograph portrait of the Sioux Chief Little-Crow (Dakota, 1770-1827), facing forward with sloped shoulders wrapped in a heavy blanket and a bandana tied around his neck. His stern visage displays a wrinkled brow above sensitive eyes, a curved nose, and closed lips flanked by heavy nasolabial folds, all surmounted by a wavy, chin-length coiffure brushed back. A fabulous example of Charles Bird King's artwork, who was best known for his portrayals of important Native American leaders. Size of page: 14.1" W x 21" H (35.8 cm x 53.3 cm); of cardboard backing: 17.6" W x 24" H (44.7 cm x 61 cm)
Also known to his tribe as The Sacred Pigeon-hawk Which Comes Walking, Little Crow was a noble Sioux chief of the Kaposia band, which resided on the east bank of the Mississippi. He fought for the British in the War of 1812 and traveled to Washington in 1824 as the leader of a Sioux delegation.
When leaders of various Native American tribes visited President Monroe, McKenney, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs and a champion of Native American interests, commissioned artists including Charles Bird King to paint portraits of the delegates in their choice of dress. Unfortunately, most of King's original paintings later burned in a fire at the Smithsonian. Given this, the lithographs published in McKenney and Hall's "Indian Tribes of North America" are the only surviving records of the likenesses of many important 19th century Native American leaders.
Other printings of this lithograph have been collected by the Smithsonian American Art Museum (object number 1985.66.153,210), the Amon Carter Museum of American Art (accession number 2004.19.37), National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C. (object number NPG.99.167.12), and the Royal Academy of the Arts (object Number 18/1547).
Provenance: private Idledale, Colorado, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#183557
Condition Report: Minor tears and losses to edges of paper as well as small perforations from book binding along left side as shown. Normal toning with a few minor stains to the sheet as shown. Vivid image with strong hues. Accompanied by protective film cover and taped to cardboard backing.
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