Lot 86

C. 1980's Crow Ken Real Bird Jewelry Collection

Estimate: $7,000 - $10,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
This is an outstanding jewelry collection including four pieces of original silversmithing from Crow Indian Ken Real Bird. Kennard Realbird (also referred to as Ken Real Bird and Ken Realbird) is a member of the Crow Apsaalooke tribe and is an accomplished Horse Nation retired bronc rider and horseman from Real Bird Bucking Horses in Montana. He was also an accomplished artist, with one of his works which was photographed by Brady Willette titled “Crow War Pony-1” is in the permanent collection at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. These four matching pieces were made approximately in the 1980’s by Ken and are signed / stamped as such. The pieces are made from thick heavy sterling silver with a outstanding incised shadowboxed geometric design which harkens back to the geometric patterns from early Crow beadwork and polychrome parfleche works from his heritage. The lot includes a buckle, cuff / bracelet, ring and scarf slide / bolo tie, a total of 4 pieces. All four pieces are set with cabochons of Sugilite beautiful purple stones in rectangular, oval and triangular shapes (can also be referred to as Sugalite). The bracelet and buckle are both nicely heavily stamped “KEN REAL BIRD” and all the pieces are in the same amazing pattern, heavy thick sterling silver construction and set with sugilite. This is the largest and finest collection of jewelry from Ken Real Bird of the Montana Crow ever offered for public sale and is truly heirloom worthy. Ken no longer, to our knowledge, silversmiths. The scarf slide or bolo is accompanied by a nice cowboy silk style or like scarf as photographed. The bracelet measures 2.5”x2.25”x1 3/8” and is 6.25” inside circumference wrist size which includes the 1 1/8”W opening. The buckle is 3 1/8”x2.5. The scarf slide bolo tie is 2.5”x2”. The ring is a size 9.5 US and the stone is approximately 1 1/8” by ¾”. All are in very good condition and have a total weight of 314.2 grams in sterling silver and stones. The only other piece on the market from Ken Real Bird is a bracelet which is listed for $1,990.00 individually.