2020 Mesa Live Session
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/24/2020
Flintlock rifle with Northwest Coast carved stock, along with horn powder flask, also carved. They were exhibited in London and Kansas City at the Sacred Circles Exhibitions in 1976. Pictured in both catalogs, one of which is included. In the Rex Arrowsmith Collection since the 1950s.From “Sacred Circles,” page 149, item 340: “Musket with powder horn. Late 19th century. Northwest Coast, Queen Charlotte Islands, Haida. Wood, brass, mountain goat horn. Gun 1.32 m long; powder horn 19.5 cm long x 7 cm wide. Lent by Mr. & Mrs. Rex Arrowsmith. An English Flintlock Musket bearing the name Joseph Golcher on the lock. Beaver and sea bear designs proliferate the butt and stock; the powder horn has bear leg motifs. An example of how the Haida urge toward carved embellishment could convert a trade item in a thoroughly Indian object.”The catalog description incorrectly identifies the rifle as an English Musket, when in fact we believe it to be an American Fusil. The catalog date is also incorrect, as the rifle itself is late 18th to early 19th century. EX: Rex Arrowsmith Collection.