Although the auction was eagerly anticipated by Philadelphia-area tribal art collectors, just under 200 of the 435 lots sold during the auction (45% of all pieces), including the highlight of the show: Lot 1, a rare Chilkat Dance Blanket from the US Pacific Northwest. The piece, estimated to fetch between $20,000 and $30,000 sold at a final hammer price of $22,800. The blanket is made from hand-woven mountain goat hair, dyed with natural pigments and decorated with highly stylized clan symbols and from the mid-19th century. It is a fine example of a rare piece.
Several other pieces sold between $200 and $1,000 including three pieces that went for just $240. It is certainly a price point at which inexperienced collectors can get into the game. These pieces include: Lot 24, a Hopi Corn Kachina Doll from the Southwest United States that was estimated to sell for between $400 and $600; Lot 71, Hupa and Salish Baskets from the West coast of the United States that were estimated at $500 - $800; and Lot 154, a Yoruba Ibeji Twin Male Figure from Nigeria that was estimated between $400 and $600. While these three pieces sold, they did so well below their low estimate and most likely at their reserve price.
It’s hard to blame the high ratio of unsold lots on the economy – collectors have shown that if the quality is high, they will gladly step in and buy. I would rate the results satisfactory for a first auction but look forward to seeing Rago increase the overall quality of their material. On the whole the sale was wonderful exposure for the tribal arts world – we’re so glad that dealers and auction houses are out there educating collectors and spreading the word. Regardless of how this one sale fared, it speaks well of the growing interest of tribal arts collectors in the United States and around the world.
Dori Rootenberg
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