Iconic Iron Indian

Miniature weathervane
Forged and chiseled iron
Circa: 1800
Size: 12" (h) x 9" (w) x 1/8" (d)
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This striking object leaves an indelible imprint on your minds’ eye—it is powerful and mysterious.

This small chiseled and forged flat iron figure depicts a silhouetted American Indian with calumet (pipe), hair roach and pony-tail, and wearing a breechcloth with genitals exposed.

Historically the image of the American Indian in art was often romanticized as the exotic or demonized as the savage “other,” through overly generalized depictions based on broad stereotypes. Though some illustrations show women with exposed breasts and men with buttocks peeking through their breechcloth, sculpture of this nature is hitherto unknown.

Provenance: Marvill Collection of American Folk Art

Illustrated twice and discussed in American Vernacular, 2002, p. 1 (title page) and p. 149.

Condition: Excellent with wear commensurate with age and loss to the figure's left arm.

HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES AVAILABLE

Price: SOLD

ALL ITEMS GUARANTEED AS REPRESENTED