1101A

FABULOUS HISTORIC PRESENTATION INDIAN OLLA TO GENERAL NELSON MILES FOR THE CAPTURE OF GERONIMO

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:17,500.00 USD Estimated At:35,000.00 - 45,000.00 USD
FABULOUS HISTORIC PRESENTATION INDIAN OLLA TO GENERAL NELSON MILES FOR THE CAPTURE OF GERONIMO
FABULOUS HISTORIC PRESENTATION INDIAN OLLA TO GENERAL NELSON MILES FOR THE CAPTURE OF GERONIMO. This incredible large painted olla was done by Laurette Lovell, a noted southwestern artist and presented to General Nelson Miles commemorating his capture of the famed Indian Chief Geronimo. The massive olla is painted brick orange-red with allover designs of southwestern flora, primarily cactus. The body of the vase with four painted vignettes, one depicts a seated Geronimo and titled "Geronimo, Chiricahua Chief”. Another colorful panel depicts two young Indian girls in colorful attire; this image titled "Pima”. A third vignette depicts a young apache warrior with Springfield rolling block in hand, this is maybe "Victorio” and a fourth vignette titled "Papagoes” depicts various Indian women with bourbon baskets on their head, one with huge ollas such as this. The upper 7-1/2” border at the top of the vase with a continual painted vista, one portion titled "Casa Grande” which is the mountain retreat in Old Mexico from which Victorio established his stronghold to make the war on a white man. A second portion of the border depicts a warrior on horseback titled but difficult to read, we believe the title was "Geronimo”. The third portion of the panel depicts village life of the apache with maidens making ollas similar to this one, an Indian brave and a child. The another portion of the vista depicts a large southwestern or Mexican building with Indians in front titled below, but we can’t read it. A final portion of the vista depicts three Indian braves in loincloths with bows titled beneath "Yuma’s”. All scenes are bright and very well done. The body of the vase also with a presentation which reads "Presented to General Nelson. A. Miles by Laurette Lovell Tucson, Arizona November 8, 1887”. Laurette Lovell was born in 1867 and died in 1936, she went to Tucson, Arizona from California and became very active there as an artist in the 1880’s painting desert scenes and various Indians. Her father surrendered the city of New Orleans to Admiral Farragut during the Civil War. In 1893, she was appointed Lady Manager from the territory of Arizona for the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This exposition had a women’s pavilion that housed examples of gifted women’s works from around the world. She did both flat out work as well as art work on china and pottery such as this. Other examples of her painted ollas are on display at the Heritage House in Riverside, CA and in the collection of the Arizona State Museum. We are told that both of these are much smaller than this example. The famed Geronimo was captured in 1886 by General Nelson Miles and it was after that time that Lovell presented the pot Miles. Later was exhibited at the Haye Foundation Museum in New York and eventually gifted to the U.S. Military Academy Museum at West Point where Miles had been a graduate. Included are documents dated 1955 from Frederick P. Todd, director of the Museum at West Point sent to the family of Nelson Miles requesting permission to dispose of the pot because of its "non-military” character and current damage. He did not feel that it would be the type of thing that would ever be displayed at the museum, which was primarily made up of weapons and military objects. Another official document dated Oct. 26, 1955 is a directive regarding disposition of non-appropriate items, a third document dated Oct. 25, 1955 lists five items which should be de-acquisitioned, the painted olla with stand is one of these such items. It is noted that it was originally received in 1926. Also included are two silver souvenir spoons with General Nelson Miles. This large and impressive Indian olla, in addition to being a significant historical item is also a wonderful work of art with beautiful renditions of Indian life and historic Indian characters. SIZE: Approx. 22” h x 13” dia across top x 19” dia across the body. CONDITION: Currently in excellent restored condition. The paintings and body of the pot are all sharp and bright and now after restoration in structurally fine condition. 4-50098