Tribe: Mesquakie

Circa: Mid 19th Century

Materials: Maplewood

Dimensions: H. 3 1/4” x W. 3 1/3”

Condition: Overall very good. Original surface, minor scraping and chip from edge of rim. No restoration.

Comments: This is a small personal ladle with a finely sculpted horse effigy finial. The horse head evidences long and continuous use with deep rich patination.

Collection History:

Cowan’s Auction. Cincinnati, Ohio

Ex Trotta-Bono Collection. NY

Ex Helene Sage Collection. Virginia

Trotta-Bono. Santa Fe, NM.

References: Torrence, Gaylord and Hobbs, Robert. Art of the Red Earth People: The Mesquakie of Iowa. The University of Iowa Museum of Art, 1989. (For a horse effigy ladle of later date, p.144)