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Nez Perce Cornhusk Bag Andy Warhol Collection

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Western Americana Start Price:10.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Nez Perce Cornhusk Bag Andy Warhol Collection
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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 Oct 04 @ 09:00 (UTC-06:00 : CST/MDT)
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12" by 16 7/8". Provenance: Sotheby's Auction Andy Warhol Collection. Andy Warhol's personal collection of Native American material, auctioned by Sotheby's after his death in 1987, revealed his deep fascination with 19th century Indigenous art from the carved forms of the Northwest Coast Tlingit to the vibrant textiles of the Southwest. Among the most striking works were several late 19th century Nez Perce corn husk bags handwoven objects whose bold geometry and rhythmic design echoed Warhol's own graphic sensibilities. These "flat bags," traditionally made by women of the Nez Perce and neighboring Plateau tribes, were used to carry personal items or given as ceremonial gifts, making them both utilitarian and symbolic. They were crafted using a sophisticated twining technique of soft hemp or dogbane for the foundation, and corn husk and dyed yarns to create vibrant designs on both sides. Admired for their abstract motifs of triangles, zigzags, and stepped patterns, their symmetrical compositions reflect a Plateau visual language that predates and yet parallels modern design principles. The desirability of Warhol's collection lies not only in his fame but in his discerning eye. As Sotheby's noted, his interest in Native American material culture mirrored his broader artistic inquiry into identity, iconography, and the mythologizing of American history. Warhol's engagement with Indigenous imagery extended beyond collecting. In his 1986 "Cowboys and Indians" series (one of his last major works), he juxtaposed romanticized Western figures like John Wayne with Native leaders such as Sitting Bull and Russell Means, challenging how Native identity had been commodified in pop culture. Today, these corn husk bags stand as exceptional works of Indigenous textile art and with Warhol's ownership, now bridge two distinct creative legacies that embody both the cultural heritage of the Plateau tribes and the curatorial vision of one of the most iconic artists of the 20th century.