Rare Woodlands
Highly-Abstracted
Owl Effigy Ladle 

Northeast/Midwest ca. 1800.

Carved from figured maple. Skilled Native American woodworkers drew on generations of tradition and sought to capture JUST THE ESSENCE of an animal by subtracting detail. This owl ladle was at one time in the greatest collection of effigy ladles ever assembled (Peter Brams). Peter had four owl ladles, this one being the most “reductive” of all, the context of the progression of the four clearly identifying this effigy as an owl. Not only is it over two centuries old, the highly reductive form gives it a timeless contemporary presence as well.

Only a handful of owl effigy ladles are known. In Woodlands culture they symbolized, depending on context, that a being that can travel between worlds and be a protector, and can also be a symbol of passing.

Excellent condition with a warm honey-colored patina. Overall length about 6 ½ inches.

Important provenance includes: Trotta-Bono American Indian Art; Peter Brams (NYC); Keno Auctions - The Peter Brams Collection of Important Woodlands Indian Art; Steve Powers, Private Florida and Santa Fe Collections.