Codie Lyons
Associate Specialist
Lot 153
AN AMERICAN STERLING SILVER 'AMERICAN INDIAN' VASE attributed to Joseph Heinrich, New York City, circa 1900
31 March – 9 April 2025, 12:00 PDT
Online, Los AngelesSold for US$40,960 inc. premium
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Anna Hicks
Head of Department
Cassandra D'Cruz
Specialist, Head of Sale
AN AMERICAN STERLING SILVER 'AMERICAN INDIAN' VASE
attributed to Joseph Heinrich, New York City, circa 1900
Featuring a realistically modeled and stylized Plains Indian man adorned with a headdress, bear claw necklace, and draped blanket holding a pipe, set vertically to the front at 11in high. At the base of the figure is an applied buffalo head and a grouping of pinecones, needles and maize leaves. Flanking each side of the vase are applied shields, each with hanging feathers. The base, neck, and rim have etched decoration in Southwest geometric motifs. The back later inscribed AZTEC in a styled font.
height 19 3/4in; total weight approximately 95oz troy.
Featuring a realistically modeled and stylized Plains Indian man adorned with a headdress, bear claw necklace, and draped blanket holding a pipe, set vertically to the front at 11in high. At the base of the figure is an applied buffalo head and a grouping of pinecones, needles and maize leaves. Flanking each side of the vase are applied shields, each with hanging feathers. The base, neck, and rim have etched decoration in Southwest geometric motifs. The back later inscribed AZTEC in a styled font.
height 19 3/4in; total weight approximately 95oz troy.
Footnotes
Provenance
Spencer Marks, Ltd., South Hampton, Massachusetts;
Acquired from the above, 26 October 2013.
Joseph Heinrich immigrated from Germany to New York City in 1895 and established himself as a molder and finisher of copperware. In 1897, he opened his own shop in a fashionable section of Manhattan, across from the Flatiron Building; the perfect place to be known by New York's art cognoscenti.
Many of the works by Heinrich do not bear his mark as they were created for other silver fabricators. Heinrich created pieces for firms including Gorham, Tiffany, Shreve, Crump & Low, Caldwell and Shreve & Co.
The historical context of this piece is central to its importance. At the dawn of the 20th century and the final days of American Expansionism, Native American culture was being re-examined in terms of spiritual enlightenment. There was a new desire to incorporate Native American aesthetics into designs of the Arts and Crafts period. Tiffany and others began to appropriate these designs, using American Indians to symbolize a respectful coexistence with nature and a romanticized view of an important and proud people.
Monumental in both size and presence, this magnificent vase is a rare example of Heinrich working in solid sterling.
Condition reports are not provided in catalog descriptions. The absence of a condition report does not guarantee that the lot is in good condition or free from damage and wear. We encourage you to request a condition report and/or additional photos prior to bidding on any lot.