4: A FINE, LARGE AND RARE CATLINITE CROSS ON PLINTH

The beautifully patinated carving in two parts is comprised of a rising Christian cross atop two integral stepped outsets, and a separate trapezoidal pedestal with crosses in bas relief on each side.

This piece was purchased from the legendary Santa Fe dealer James Economos by the current owner, a retired priest of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. Economos was an expert on African, Oceanic, and American Indian art who had a hand in building many important collections, not the least of which is that of the St. Louis Art Museum.

The alluring red mineral catlinite, also known as pipestone, is a form of argillite, a fine-grained sedimentary rock that has been quarried by Plains Indians for hundreds at the the only place on earth where it exists a site now known as Pipestone National Monument outside Pipestone, Minnesota. This site has been sacred to the indigenous of North America for centuries. Prior to contact, the only use for pipestone by the indigenous people of North America was for carving sacred ceremonial smoking pipes. Interestingly, this scared mineral has been used here to create a relic of ceremonial importance to Christians. The current owner suggests the carver of this piece was a Native American converted to Catholicism. He quotes his good friend Ralph 'Ted' Coe as saying, ...'never seen anything like it...definitely is Sioux....'

Provenance: This piece was purchased from the legendary Santa Fe dealer James Economos, an expert on African, Oceanic, and American Indian art who also represented the piece as being Native American in origin. Jim Economos, a friend of Ted Coe had a hand in building many important collections, not the least of which is that of the St. Louis Art Museum.
Measures 14.75 x 4.75 x 2 inches.
Very good condition. There are no chips, cracks, repairs, scratches or areas of heavy wear.
Provenance: The 40 year collection of Father Tom Wiederholt, Kansas City, Missouri. Tom was a close personal friend of scholar and curator Ralph 'Ted' Coe who advised Tom on most of his acquisitions.
$1,500 - $2,000