Lot 321
**Originally Listed At $350**
Native American or American, ca. 20th century CE. A charming folk art carved stone snake effigy, carved from soapstone or serpentine. One side features fine incised dot-and-circle motifs, while the underside is painted in dark navy to black bands, emphasizing the serpent's natural curvatur. The combination of engraving and pigment suggests symbolic duality-light and shadow, upper and underworld-a theme often seen in Native serpent imagery. Size: 11.6" L x 1.25" W (29.5 cm x 3.2 cm)
Snakes and serpents hold enduring symbolic importance in both Native American and American folk art, frequently associated with water, fertility, and transformation. The stylistic incising recalls early 20th-century Plains decorative vocabulary, while the form itself parallels known serpent effigies carved in stone and wood for ceremonial or protective purposes. The craftsmanship and two-sided design suggest the work of a skilled artisan familiar with both Native symbology and folk carving traditions.
Provenance: private Anahola, Hawaii, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 1990s
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#197922
- Condition: Fading to painted bands. Some minor chips to underside and nicks, but otherwise intact.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |