Live Webcast Auction
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Price Realized:
9,000.00 CAD
Shipping Not Available
Price Realized 9,000.00 CAD
Date Sold 2023-06-12T00:00:00
Date(s)
5/17/2023 - 6/12/2023
AUCTIONEER INFORMATION
Bidding Notice:

The auction will run with Live attendance, by telephone, and online through Hibid & Liveauctioneers.


Information
Lot # 53
Estimate 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 CAD
Group - Category Art - Sculptures / Carvings / Statues
Lead MUNGO MARTIN, FIRST NATIONS, Mask , c. 1950
Description
Lot 53 MUNGO MARTIN (NAKAPANKAM) (c. 1879-1962) KWAKWA_KA_'WAKW <i>Mask</i>, c. 1950 wood and pigment, 7.5 x 6.25 x 4 in (19.1 x 15.9 x 10.2 cm) with partial signature, "ngo"; inscribed indistinctly in graphite in an unknown hand, "1950 [?]' Provenance Private Collection, Calgary. Mungo Martin was amongst the most historically significant Northwest Coast First Nations artists of the 20th century. The stepson and apprentice of renowned Kwakwaka'wakw carver Yakudlas Charlie James (1867–1938) and uncle of Ellen Neel (1916 –1966), Martin was an important, early teacher to several prominent artists including Henry Hunt (1923 –1985) and Doug Cranmer (1927 – 2006). Working throughout and in spite of the potlatch ban, Martin’s name is synonymous with the mid-20th century revitalization of Northwest Coast art, and he is often credited with bridging the cultural and artistic practices of the 19th century with the reappraisal of Northwest Coast as fine art in the second half of the 20th century. In addition to his work as an artist, Martin collaborated on various projects with anthropologists such as Marius Barbeau, Wilson Duff, Ida Halpern, and Audrey and Harry Hawthorn. Martin worked for the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) from 1949 to 1952 and at the Royal British Columbia Museum (RBCM) throughout the 1950s, recreating and restoring totem poles on-site and connecting institutions and curators with communities and objects. [1] The MOA especially benefitted from this relationship, noting in Martin’s biography that he “[recorded] his personal knowledge about Kwakwaka’wakw histories and songs, and encouraged community members to sell their regalia to the Museum. The resulting collection is unique for its direct ties to families who hold ongoing rights to the privileges represented.” [2] Martin also hosted the first public, legal potlatch of the 20th century in 1953, two years after the lifting of the potlatch ban in 1951. [3]. This human mask by Mungo Martin is a fine example of his later work that features simplified, bold designs and a desirable white undercoat of paint. While Martin’s early work was nearly indistinguishable from that of his stepfather Charlie James, his later pieces became bolder, more simplified, and experimental in terms of the colours he was using (such as the mint green found on this mask). The style of this mask has a certain affinity to Ellen Neel, as well, and shows the influence that Martin had on her work. An important feature of Martin’s style that distinguishes his work from other makers is the way he used internally tangent circles to form his eyes, creating a certain “cross-eyed” expression that can be seen on this mask and on other pieces in the collections of the RBCM (objects 6442, 6443, and 6444) and MOA (2778/1 a-b). There is a partial signature of “ngo” on this mask and a date of 1950, perhaps indicating that this mask was carved while Martin was employed at the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver. [1] Glass, Aaron. 2006. "From Cultural Salvage to Brokerage: The Mythologization of Mungo Martin and the Emergence of Northwest Coast Art." <i>Museum Anthropology</i> 29 (1): 20-43. [2] “Mungo Martin (c. 1879 - 1962) Biography,” Museum of Anthropology at UBC, accessed April 23, 2023, [3] Hawker, Ronald. 2002. <i>Tales of Ghosts: First Nations Art in British Columbia, 1922-61</i>. Vancouver: UBC Press. <i>Christopher W. Smith</i> References: For additional information on Martin’s contributions to the anthropologists at UBC, see Aaron Glass, 2006, "From Cultural Salvage to Brokerage: The Mythologization of Mungo Martin and the Emergence of Northwest Coast Art." <i>Museum Anthropology 29</i> (1): 20-43. For Mungo Martin’s role in potlatch at UBC in 1953, see Richard Hawker, <i>Tales of Ghosts: First Nations Art in British Columbia, 1922-61</i>, (Vancouver: UNC Press, 2003), pp.127-142. See also Phil Nuytten, <i>The Totem Carvers: Charlie James, Ellen Neel, Mungo Martin</i>, (Vancouver: Panorama Pres, Ltd., 1982), pp. 75-109. For additional information on Mungo Martin’s UBC restoration project, see the photo essay “Totem Pole Carver” by Audrey Hawthorn, <i>The Beaver</i>, March 1952, pp. 3-6. For an unpainted <i>Echo Mask</i> by the artist, see First Arts, 5 December 2022, Lot 137. See also Elizabeth Kirk, <i>Tradition & Change on the Northwest Coast: The Makah, Nuu-chah-nulth, southern Kwakiutl and Nuxalk</i>, (Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press, 1986), pp. 27-29. <i>The absence of condition does not imply that an item is free from defects, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. Our team can provide thorough and comprehensive condition reports and additional images. We welcome your enquiries at info@firstarts.ca or 647-286-5012.</i> <b>NOTE </b><i>Many countries prohibit or restrict importation or exportation of property containing ivory, whale bone, sealskin, and/or products derived from other endangered or protected species, and require special licenses or permits in order to import or export such property. It is the responsibility of the buyer to ensure that the item is properly and lawfully exported / imported.</i>
Name INUIT & FIRST NATIONS ART AUCTION - JUNE 12TH 2023
Auctioneer
Type Live Webcast Auction
Date(s) 5/17/2023 - 6/12/2023
Auction Date/Time Info
Monday, June 12th, 2023, 7pm ET
Preview Date/Time Friday, June 9 from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday, June 10 from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sunday, June 11 from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday, June 12 from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Checkout Date/Time Checkouts will not be available the day of the sale.
Location
Buyer Premium 20% Buyer's Premium
Description
First Arts is thrilled to announce its Spring 2023 auction catalogue, featuring a magnificent collection of Indigenous art and objects sourced from North American and European collectors. The collection includes historical and contemporary works, masterpieces by renowned artists, and charming pieces that showcase the talent and skill of Indigenous artists.
Please read these conditions of sale and the sale particulars carefully before placing any bid on a lot. By registering to bid and/or by bidding at auction, you agree to these terms and conditions and they will become contractually binding to you. Please ensure that you have understood all charges, fees, and taxes that may be applied to your bid price before placing your bid. IMPORTANT NOTES All lots will be offered and sold subject to these Terms and Condition of Sale as well as any Glossary and posted announcements. By bidding at auction, bidders are bound by those Conditions, as amended by any announcements or posted notices, which together form the Contract of Sale between the successful bidder (buyer), First Arts Premiers Inc. and The Consignor (Seller) of the lot. Description or photographs of lots are not warranties and each lot is sold "As Is" in accordance with the Conditions of Sale. The Terms and Conditions of Sale of First Arts Premiers Inc. are subject to change. REMOVAL OF LOTS It is the responsibility of the buyer to make all arrangements for packing, insurance, and removing the property purchased. Any assistance by the auctioneer, his agents or contractors in packing or removal shall be rendered as a courtesy and without any liability to them. First Arts Premiers Inc. will not undertake packing or shipping of lots purchased at auction. The purchaser must designate and arrange for the services of an independent shipper and be responsible for all shipping and insurance expenses. First Arts Premiers Inc. will, upon request, provide names of professional packers and shippers but will not be held responsible for the service or have any liability for providing this information. Reliable pre-auction estimates of shipping costs of lots offered in this sale may be obtained from: PakShip 905-470-6874 inquiry@pakship.ca IMPORT / EXPORT Many countries prohibit or restrict importation or exportation of property containing ivory, tortoise shell, whale bone, sealskin, and/ or products derived from other endangered or protected species, and require special licenses or permits in order to import or export such property. Please review your country's laws before bidding on pieces made of or containing these restricted items. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to ensure that the item is properly and lawfully exported and imported. You must pay immediately even if you want to export the lot and require an export permit or license to do so. Failure to obtain all of the required permits shall not invalidate the transaction. CONDITIONS OF SALE 1. Each lot sold at Live Auction is subject to a Buyer’s Premium of 20% of the successful bid price (“hammer price”) of each lot as part of the purchase price. 2. Unless exempted by law, the buyer is required to pay 13% HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) on the hammer price and buyer's premium, except for purchases directly exported from Canada. In the case where Canadian purchases are shipped out of the province of Ontario, the HST or GST is charged based on the tax status of that province or territory. 3. First Arts Premiers Inc. reserves the right, at our complete discretion, to withdraw any lot from the sale, whether prior to or during the auction, without notice and shall have no liability whatsoever with regard to such withdrawal. 4. First Arts Premiers Inc. reserves the right to refuse to recognize any or all bids from any particular person or persons at any auction. 5. All lots are subject to an unpublished reserve that may be changed at any time by agreement between the auctioneer and the consignor. 6. The highest bid will be the successful bidder when the lot closes, unless First Arts Premiers Inc. decides to use its discretion as set out above. This means a contract for sale has been formed between the seller and the successful bidder. We do not accept responsibility for notifying you of the result of your bids unless you are successful, and you should check as soon as possible after the sale to get details of the outcome of your bid. 7. Immediately after the purchase of a lot, the buyer shall pay or undertake to the satisfaction of the auctioneer with respect to payment of the whole or any part of the purchase price requested by the auctioneer, failing which the auctioneer in his sole discretion may cancel the sale, with or without re-offering the item for sale. You must pay for a lot in the currency of the sale. 8. You will not own the lot and ownership of the lot will not pass to you until: (i) We have confirmed that you have met all bidder identification and registration procedures; and (ii) We have received full, clear and unequivocal payment of all amounts due, even in circumstances where we have released the lot to you. 9. Transferring risk to you: (a) The risk in and responsibility for the lot will transfer to you from whichever is the earlier of the following: (i) When the lot comes into your physical possession or that of any person or carrier you authorise to take possession of the lot; or (ii) When you collect the lot if collection is permitted. (b) The lot is at your risk if you choose to exercise any right you may have to cancel the contract for the purchase of the lot. You are responsible for insuring the lot against loss or damage until it is returned to us. 10. Lots are sold “AS IS”, in the condition they are in at the time of the sale, without any representation or warranty or assumption of liability of any kind as to condition by First Arts Premiers Inc. or by the seller. Any reference to condition in the catalogue or in a condition report will not amount to a full description of condition, and images may not always show the condition of a lot clearly. Any description issued by the auctioneer of an article to be sold is subject to variation to be posted on line and/or announced via email prior to the time of sale. Colours may look different in the catalogue or on the screen compared to how they look on physical inspection. Condition reports may be available to help you evaluate the condition of a lot. First Arts will endeavour to disclose any flaws, damage or repairs that are immediately apparent but First Arts cannot be held responsible for any inherent flaws or previous repairs that are not visible. Condition reports are provided free of charge as a courtesy to our buyers and are for guidance only. They offer our opinion but they may not refer to all faults, inherent defects, restoration, alteration, or adaptation because our staff members are not professional restorers or conservators. For that reason, they are not an alternative to taking your own professional advice. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have requested, received and considered any condition report. 11. The purchase price is the total of the following amounts: (i) The hammer price and the buyer’s premium; (ii) Unless exempted by law, the buyer is required to pay 13% HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) on the hammer price and buyer's premium, except for purchases directly exported from Canada. In the case where Canadian purchases are shipped out of the province of Ontario, the HST or GST is charged based on the tax status of that province or territory. You must pay for a Lot in the currency of the sale. 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Furthermore, we reserve the right to specify the format, quality and resolution of any photographic reproductions for which we grant approval. Copyright also applies to any excerpts or translations of First Arts texts that we may approve. Furthermore, if we have approved in principle an excerpt or translation, the original version in English will be used in deciding any issues or disputes that may arise with regard to the accuracy of any translation. WAIVER No failure or delay to exercise any right or remedy provided under these Terms and Conditions of Sale shall constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy, nor shall it prevent or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy. No single or partial exercise of such right or remedy shall prevent or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy. GLOSSARY As Is First Arts Premiers Inc. offers all property “as is,” meaning that the property is sold with any possible existing faults or imperfections. Condition reports will be provided as a courtesy and First Arts will endeavour to disclose any flaws, damage or repairs which are immediately apparent, but First Arts cannot be held responsible for any inherent flaws or previous repairs which are not visible. The Auctioneer The auctioneer is First Arts Premiers Inc., or an affiliated entity. Registered Bidder A Registered Bidder is a bidder who has fully completed the registration process, provided the required information to the Auction House and has been assigned a unique paddle number for the purpose of bidding on Lots in a live or online auction. Bid The amount a prospective buyer or their agent signals the auctioneer that the buyer would pay to purchase the lot during bidding. Lot An item or items to be offered for sale at an auction. Hammer Price The Hammer Price is the price at which the Auctioneer has sold the Lot to the Buyer, net of any prevailing Buyer’s Premium and any applicable taxes. Buyer’s Premium The Buyer’s Premium is the additional amount paid by the Buyer to First Arts Premiers Inc. on the purchase of a Lot. It is calculated on the Hammer Price at a rate of 20% for Live Auctions and 20% for Online-Only Auctions. Consignor (Seller) The Consignor is the person or entity named in the Consignment Agreement as the source from which the Property or Lot has been received for auction. Live and Online Auctions These Terms and Conditions of Business apply to all Live and Online auction sales conducted by the Auction House. For the purposes of online auctions, all references to the Auctioneer shall mean the Auction House. Reserve The confidential minimum price for the sale of the Lot, agreed to between the Consignor and the Auction House. Sales Tax The Federal and Provincial sales and excise taxes applicable in the jurisdiction of sale of the Lot. Unless exempted by law, the buyer is required to pay the prevailing HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) rate for the province of Ontario on the hammer price and buyer's premium. Lots professionally shipped out of the province of Ontario are subject to GST or the prevailing HST rates per province or territory. Purchases being exported from Canada are exempt from Canadian taxes but the Buyer is responsible for any import taxes or duties that may be incurred upon import. Contract of Sale Contract of Sale Includes an agreement to sell as well as sale.
Your bid must adhere to the bid increment schedule.
Bid Amount Bid Increment
0.00 - 975.00 50.00 CAD
975.01 - 1,900.00 100.00 CAD
1,900.01 - 4,800.00 200.00 CAD
4,800.01 - 9,500.00 500.00 CAD
9,500.01 - 19,000.00 1,000.00 CAD
19,000.01 - 48,000.00 2,000.00 CAD
48,000.01 - 95,000.00 5,000.00 CAD
95,000.01 - 190,000.00 10,000.00 CAD
190,000.01 - 280,000.00 20,000.00 CAD
280,000.01 - 480,000.00 25,000.00 CAD
480,000.01 - 9,999,999.99 50,000.00 CAD
Currency CAD
Buyer Premium 20% Buyer's Premium
Payment Terms
Immediately after the purchase of a lot, the buyer shall pay or underatake to the satisfaction of the auctioneer with respect to payment of the whole or any part of the purchase price requested by the auctioneer, failing which the auctioneer in his sole discretion may cancel the sale, with or without re-offering the item for sale. You must pay for a lot in the currency of the sale.
It is the responsibility of the buyer to make all arrangements for packing, insurance, and removing the property purchased. Any assistance by the auctioneer, his agents or contractors in packing or removal shall be rendered as a courtesy and without any liability to them. First Arts Premiers Inc. will not undertake packing or shipping of lots purchased at auction. The purchaser must designate and arrange for the services of an independent shipper and be responsible for all shipping and insurance expenses. First Arts Premiers Inc. will, upon request, provide names of professional packers and shippers but will not be held responsible for the service or have any liability for providing this information. Reliable pre-auction estimates of shipping costs of lots offered in this sale may be obtained from: PakShip 905-470-6874 inquiry@pakship.caLocation