Lot 237

19th C. Prairie Tacked & Carved Mirror Board Club

Estimate: $1,250 - $2,250

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,500 $250
$5,000 $500
$7,000 $1,000
The lot features a 19th Century carved wood and tacked mirror board dance club from the Prairie Indians, possibly from the Ghost Dance Movement. The club mirror board is carved from one solid piece of wood showing a round pommel base with pierced center with beveled varved gripping area tapering outward with a “V” cut top edge that has a stepped staircase carved incised design. The center of the club shows two large, pierced holes with rounded edges and above this is an inlaid old original trade mirror held into place with a framed row of original 19th century solid brass square shank trade tacks. The center of the club shows a typical Prairie / Plains incised carved pattern and above the mirror a four-point morning star and crescent moon, both prominent Ghost Dance symbols. For another example, see the Apsaalooke Crow Mirror with the similar club shape with rectangular inlaid mirror and tacked design, noted as being from Bear-goes-to-the-other-gorge as a Ghost Dance Mirror sold by Bonhams Auction in 2022 for $16,575 (w/ bp). The entire club has a dark red mineral pigment ocher / ochre coloring. Provenance: From a large private Ohio Native American collection. The piece shows well preserved condition with nicks, dings, and wear, but is in solid with no major breaks, mirror is secured, and patina is nice and original. Measures overall 20.5”L by 3 5/8”W. For another example of a mirror board with club shape see the Sioux Chief's Looking Glass Carved Dance Mirror from the early 19th century in the Brooklyn Museum collection accession number 50.67.96.