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Native American Zuni NM Pottery Candlestick ~Chieftain ~Headdress ~1890 to 1920s
Native American Zuni NM Pottery Candlestick ~Chieftain ~Headdress ~1890 to 1920s
Native American Zuni NM Pottery Candlestick ~Chieftain ~Headdress ~1890 to 1920s
Native American Zuni NM Pottery Candlestick ~Chieftain ~Headdress ~1890 to 1920s
Native American Zuni NM Pottery Candlestick ~Chieftain ~Headdress ~1890 to 1920s
Native American Zuni NM Pottery Candlestick ~Chieftain ~Headdress ~1890 to 1920s
Native American Zuni NM Pottery Candlestick ~Chieftain ~Headdress ~1890 to 1920s
Native American Zuni NM Pottery Candlestick ~Chieftain ~Headdress ~1890 to 1920s
Native American Zuni NM Pottery Candlestick ~Chieftain ~Headdress ~1890 to 1920s
Native American Zuni NM Pottery Candlestick ~Chieftain ~Headdress ~1890 to 1920s
Native American Zuni NM Pottery Candlestick ~Chieftain ~Headdress ~1890 to 1920s
Native American Zuni NM Pottery Candlestick ~Chieftain ~Headdress ~1890 to 1920s

Native American Zuni NM Pottery Candlestick ~Chieftain ~Headdress ~1890 to 1920s

$ 1504.8

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • Artisan: Zuni of New Mexico
  • Provenance: Three Generations - One Family
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Origin: Zuni of New Mexico
  • Condition: This authentic Zuni pottery Chieftain candlestick from NM is in good to very good original condition showing wear & breakage from age.
  • Tribal Affiliation: Zuni

    Description

    T
    his auction is for a wonderful antique Zuni pottery candlestick
    that has been in my family for three generations (100+ years) since it was purchased in New Mexico between 1905 - 1915.  Not much is documented about these particular Zuni pottery creations other than they were made for the early tourist trade (1890 - 1920s from my research).  Most Zuni candlesticks were square in shape with a handle on the back for carrying.  There was a holder for the candle in the top.  Most candlesticks were decorated with animals, birds, reptiles and traditional designs.
    This Zuni candlestick was purchased by my grandfather around 1905 - 1910 in Las Cruces, NM for his Native Amerian pottery collection.  He later gave the candlestick to my parents and they passed it on to me by 1970.  I believe this is a very early Zuni pottery candlestick based on the design (painted Native American chieftain wearing a feather headdress).   This is the only Zuni candlestick I could find in my research that depicts a Native American chieftain.
    The front of the candlestick depicts a chieftain wearing a feather headdress from about the chest up.  The clothing from his neck down his chest is ornate in red paint. Each side shows the chieftain in profile (face & headdress) with decorations of a bow and arrow.  The back shows the remants of the handle which has broken off.  The decoration on the Zuni chandlestick is painted with black & red.  The painting is bold with strong lines.  The colors remain strong after all these years.  There is a marvelous patina that has shows wonderful age with crazing on the surface.  I can remember gazing at this wonderful figure often as a very young child.
    The candlestick is unmarked as was common in those days.  My mother wrote "Zuni" and something else in faint pencil marking on the bottom.  I have not tried to remove this but think it can be erased without damaging the surface.  The Zuni candlestick always had this same damage from the time it was given to my parents until now.  I know nothing about how this happened.  Fortunately, the front of the candlestick with the chieftain (which is the most important part of the candlestick) escaped damage with only a very small chip along the bottom edge.
    There are three areas of damage on the candlestick (please see photos) to note including:
    1.  missing handle on back with remnants of the top and bottom of the handle
    2.  chip on the top circular opening for a candle above one side
    3.  broken off lower back corner edge
    Otherwise, there are tiny chips, rubs, expected wear, crazing and surface scratches.  Given the age of the Zuni pottery candlestick, I would say the candlestick is in good to very good condition.  The front part of the candlestick with the chieftain is wonderful.
    Specifics
    :
    Design:  Native American chieftain with feather headdress, bows & arrows
    Weight:  526.7 grams
    Height:  7"
    Depth (front to back with missing handle):  4"
    Sides:  2 5/8" square
    Materials:  Clay with red & black paint
    There was no interest in acquiring these Zuni candlesticks for museums & fine collections in the early days.  However, they are now considered to be charming figures and part of Zuni pottery history.  So they appear in fine collections and museums of today.  The figures are quite fragile & are easily damaged so it is rare to find a figure without damage and/or repairs. The design of this Zuni candlestick is early and very rare based on my research.
    This is a rare opportunity to acquire a genuine antique Zuni candlestick depicting a wonderful Native American chieftain in full headdress.   The Zuni pottery candlestick would be an important addition to a collection of Native American arts & antiques.  A rare find for the serious
    collector!  A treasure to pass along for future generations.
    Full USPS insurance coverage. Your purchase will be packaged with great care using new bubble wrap and a sturdy new cardboard box.  I usually ship daily except for Sundays and holidays.  Any excess shipping costs paid over actual cost will be
    refunded to the  buyer.
    Sold in the US only.  No international bids, please.  Will not ship outside the US.
    I only accept PayPal.  I do not accept returns unless I make a significant error in describing this Zuni chieftain figure.  Please make note of this policy before bidding.  Please examine the photos to assess the condition for yourself.
    This auction is for the Zuni candlestick only as described above.  Other items shown in the photos are for display purposes only.