RECOVERED - Large Native American Artifact Collection

On March 24, 2003 – we received the following e-mail notification that these items have been recovered:

  • From: a Colorado Collector
  • To: Webmaster@ATADA.org
  • Date: Monday, March 24, 2003, 2:01:44 PM
  • Subject: Artifacts recovered

 ==============Original message text===============

Dear Arch,

The saga of the 36 stolen artifacts we listed with you earlier in February has had a wonderful turnabout. THEY HAVE BEEN RECOVERED. The case is still in process, but at least the objects are safe. The whole episode has been traumatic to say the least but the wonderful spirit and work of ATADA brought us a little peace of mind and hope amidst it all. I also believe that the community of dealers and associates helped initiate the turn of events.

Would you be able to place a large notice to members on the site to let them know the items have been recovered? How do you suggest this appear?

Perhaps you could keep the photos with a large type stamp over them saying recovered. You are the webmaster so I will leave that up to you. I do know that members have studied these items and put great effort towards their return for which we are eternally grateful.

As always, anonymity is of highest concern. David Cook, David Fine American Art, is still the contact on this matter.

You and ATADA confirm that there is no substitute for good people and that our friends and colleagues in this world of Native American Art are a family. Thanks so much. I will be in touch as the story unfolds. So far, we are incredibly LUCKY.

Sincerely, a Colorado Collector

==============End of original message text===========

On February 1, 2003, 36 important Native American artifacts were stolen from a private collection in Colorado focusing on Plains beadwork, parfleche and textiles.

The following items have been recovered: 

Blackfeet War Shirt
Stolen Blackfeet War Shirt Now Recovered

Blackfeet War Shirt – 1870s – Buckskin, Trade cloth, Open sides, Blue seed bead panels, Ermine tails

 
Apache Puberty Cape

Stolen Apache Puberty Cape Now Recovered

Pony Beaded Apache Puberty Cape – 1860, Buckskin, Painted with red ochre, Trim beaded with black, white and red pony beads, Russian beads, Brass military buttons, Tinklers

 


Stolen Crow Leggings Now Recovered

Crow Leggings – 1880s – Red / green trade cloth


Stolen Kiowa High Top Mocs Now Recovered

Kiowa Women’s High Top Moccasins – 1880s – Green with silver buttons, 17″ L x 9″ W

 

Stolen Bow and Arrows Now Recovered

Arapaho snakeskin covered ash bow w/ arrows – 1880s

 
Stolen Pony Beaded Pipe Bag Now Recovered

Pony Beaded Pipe Bag – 1840s, Four flaps w/three bells on fringe, Bag: 12″ L Fringe: 16″ L

 
Stolen Cheyenne/Arapaho Pipe Bag Now Recovered

Cheyenne/Arapaho, Cheyenne / Arapaho Pipe Bag – 1870s, Seed beads, 6″ quilled panel, 10″ fringe, 28″ – 30″ L


Stolen Northern Plains Pipe Bag Now Recovered

Northern Plains – 1935 – Buckskin, beads: blue, red and white; blueish quill work, 17″ fringe, 13″ bag, 36″ long total

 
Stolen Crow Cylinder Parfleche Now Recovered

Crow Cylinder Parfleche, Red/black paint, dart patina, 20-22″ L x 5″ D

 

Stolen Bow and Arrows Now Recovered

Arapaho snakeskin covered ash bow w/ arrows – 1880s

 

Stolen Kiowa Leggings Yellow Now Recovered

Kiowa Men’s, Twisted Fringe Leggings, 1880s, 36″ L x 5″ fringe, Yellow ochre paint, Trim beads, red pink white blue

 

Stolen Yankton Sioux Tipi Bag Now Recovered

Yankton Sioux Tipi Bag, Buffalo hide, seed beads, 20″ W x 16″ H

 

Stolen Arpahoe Dispatch Case Now Recovered

Arapaho Dispatch Case – 1880s, Commercial leather

 

Stolen Arapaho Dispatch Case Flag Now Recovered

Arapaho Dispatch Case American flag motif on white background, 20″ x 8.5″

 

Stolen Cheyenne Dispatch Case Now Recovered

Cheyenne Dispatch Case – 1880s, 15″ x 8.5″ – greasy yellow/green

 

Stolen Sioux Knife Case Now Recovered

Sioux Knife Case – 1870s, Buffalo hide / inner sheath

 

Stolen Cheyenne Strike-A-Lite Now Recovered

Cheyenne Strike-A-Lite – 1870-1880s, 5″ H x 3″ W (top)

 

Stolen Sioux Strike-A-Lite Now Recovered

Sioux Strike-A-Lite w/striker in case, 4″ H x 2.5″ W (top)

 

Stolen Sioux Knife Case Now Recovered

Sioux Knife Case – 1870s – Buffalo hide / inner sheath

 

Stolen Apache Burden Basket Now Recovered

Apache Burden Basket – 1870s, Trade beads – blue and white, 26″ H / 20″ W

 

Stolen Sioux Fox Pipe Now Recovered

Sioux Fox Pipe – 1850s, Bowl: fox inlay in black pipestone, 32″ -36″ L

 

Stolen Small Apache Burden Basket Now Recovered

Apache Burden Basket – 1880-1890s, 18″ H / 16″ W

 

Stolen Sioux Saddle Blanket Now Recovered

Sioux Saddle Blanket – 1880s – Seed beads – yellow, green, red and brass, Brass bells

 

Stolen Whetstone Case Now Recovered

Whetstone Case

 

Stolen Blackfeet Parfleche Now Recovered

Blackfeet Parfleche – Buffalo rawhide – 1880s, trade cloth on seams, Red/black paint


Stolen Athabascan Bag Now Recovered

Athabascan Wall Pouch with flap – 1800s – Caribou hide, red pattern calico lining, tiny beads


Stolen Blackfeet Parfleche 2Now Recovered

Blackfeet Parfleche – 1875 – Buffalo rawhide red/black paint, 17″ W 24″ side fringe


Stolen Sioux Twisted Stem Pipe Now Recovered

Sioux twisted stem pipe – 1880s – Bowl: carved catlanite, 30″ L


Stolen Blanket Strip Now Recovered

Blanket Strip – 1880s – 4 Rondels, 4 Beaded cross design, Seed beads, 66″ L


Stolen Split Horn Bonnet Now Recovered

Nez Perce split horn bonnet, 1890s


Stolen Elk Dreamer Moccasins Now Recovered

Cheyenne Man’s “Elk Dreamer Society” Moccasins – 10″ L, Small cut Cheyenne blue beads


Stolen Blackfeet Parfleche Now Recovered

Blackfeet Parfleche – Buffalo rawhide – 1880s – 16″ W / 15″ H, Side fringe shorter 13″

 

Stolen Rattle & Rattle Case Now Recovered

Rattle and case, rawhide, 11″ L x 4.5″ D


Stolen Green Kiowa Leggings Now Recovered

Kiowa men’s leggings – 1870s, green paint, trim beads, spaghetti fringe


Stolen Northern Plains Tomahawk Now Recovered

Northern Plains Tomahawk, file branded, brass tacks, 1850s, 18-24″ L


Stolen Third Phase Chiefs Blanket Now Recovered

Third Phase Chiefs Blanket – 1870s, Churro wool, 55″ W x 70″ L

Stolen Cheyenne Saddle Bag sNow Recovered

Cheyenne Double Saddle Bags

1880s, Beaded on buffalo hide with red trace cloth inserts, Beads – blue, red, white, 48″ L x 14″ W


Stolen Arapaho Mocs Now Recovered
Arapaho Moccasins, 1880s

STOLEN - Beadwork - Teton County, WY

Beadwork Stolen in Teton County, WY, Sept 6, 2002

On or shortly before Sept 6, 2002, there was a theft of about $30,000 worth of material in Teton County, Wyoming. I have filed a report there. I had stolen three vests, one blue background with two elk on the front in a butterscotch color, one vest with yellow background with two deer two sheep and two eagles on the front, the other was a Sioux or northern plains white background with geometric patterns, the fourth piece was a large full size Cheyenne cradle on sticks-red trade cloth with white and gold tube beads 19th century, also had tacks in sticks.

The case is # 02088-2974, Teton County Sheriffs dept Bob Morley phone 307-733-4052

This report was provided by Tom Hampton of Hampton Historicals

STOLEN - Beadwork from Teton County, Wyoming

On or shortly before Sept 6, 2002, there was a theft of about $30,000 worth of material in Teton County, Wyoming. I have filed a report there. I had stolen three vests, one blue background with two elk on the front in a butterscotch color, one vest with yellow background with two deer two sheep and two eagles on the front, the other was a Sioux or northern plains white background with geometric patterns, the fourth piece was a large full size Cheyenne cradle on sticks-red trade cloth with white and gold tube beads 19th century, also had tacks in sticks.

The case is # 02088-2974, Teton County Sheriffs dept Bob Morley phone 307-733-4052

This report was provided by Tom Hampton of Hampton Historicals

P. O. Box 245,
Tekonsha, MI 49092
Bus.: 517-767-3431
Fax: 517-767-3431
E-mail: tom@hamptonhistoricals.com
or E-mail: a_hampton74@hotmail.com

Items reported stolen in 2001 - Multiple Locations

Stolen Textiles, Dec 10, 2001

The first is a Crystal, ca. 1890, 79″ x 50″, value $3,800.00. The second is a Transitional Second Phase Variant Chief’s Blanket, value $8,000.00. The Case No. is 201L0121, Investigating Officer Deputy David Yount, (505) 986-2460. The individual from whom these were stolen is Edwin Crow, (505) 820-2444. (Reported to ATADA 12/20/01).

STOLEN PROPERY REPORT

Clear Sky Indian Art

Missing August 15, 2001, Santa Fe
 

Please note that not all of the items in the photos were stolen Just the three graduated storage boxes, the smaller red-corner double-box to the right and the Tlingit rattle-top in the center of the photo in front of the boxes.

The Case # with the Santa Fe Police Department is: 01022632. The person to contact is Officer Eugene Lucero, (505) 955-6576.

  •   1. Tlingit (Northwest Coast) Bentwood “Red Corner” Lidded Storage Box, 19th Century, 20″ h., 18″ w.,cedar, with red-painted corners, the lid with a red geometric design, with hand-made cedar root cord netting on the outside of the box, laced through four loops at the top to hold the lid.
  • 2. Tlingit (Northwest Coast) Bentwood “Red Corner” Lidded Storage Box, 19th Century, 14″ h., 12″ w., cedar, with red-painted corners, the lid with a red geometric design, with commercial twine netting on the outside of the box (incomplete).
  • 3. Tlingit (Northwest Coast) Bentwood “Red Corner” Lidded storage Box, 19th Century, 12″ h., 11″ w., cedar, with red-painted corners, the lid with a red geometric design (dark and somewhat indistinct).
  • 4. Tlingit (Northwest Coast) Bentwood Lidded “Marriage” Box, Circa 1945, 4 ½” h., 10″ l., in the form of a double box, with two compartments with a common center wall and common lid, decorated with red corners and a red geometric design on the lid.
  • 5. Tlingit “Rattle-Top” Twined Basket, Circa 1920, 3 ½” h., 5 ¼” d., of cylindrical form with fitted lid with rattles in the handle, decorated with geometric bands in dyed grasses on the basket and lid.
  • 6. Athabascan Hide Container, Approximately 5″ h., 4″ d., of cylindrical form, stitched in moose (?) hide with a hide loop handle with “pinked” edging.

Mexican Ceramic Artifact Stolen from Santa Fe Gallery, July 15, 2001

This object was stolen on Sunday, July 15, 2001 from our gallery at 600 Canyon Road. Its theft has been reported to the Santa Fe Police, Case # 01-018653, please contact Officer John P. Luiso of the City of Santa Fe Police Department, 505-955-5000. Also contact Ron Messick Fine Arts at 505-983-9533 should you have any information on its whereabouts. Dimensions: 6-3/4 x 1-3/4 x 1-1/2 inches.

Concho Belt Stolen from Gallery in Sydney Australia, on or about May 1st, 2001

This item has been posted promptly as it would be a hardship to get full information from Australia.

I would like to report a concho belt stolen from Four Winds Gallery, Sydney Australia, on or about May 1st, 2001. It is a Phase II belt with seven large oval repousse conchas (approx. 5″ diameter) and a small rectangular buckle. The belt is on original leather and the conchas are backed. Although there is no photo, the belt is quite similar to one pictured on page 104 in the Frank Harlow jewelry book. Thank you,

  • John Krena, owner
  • Four Winds Gallery
  • 412.682.5092
  • 412.682.0220

 

Two Double Saddle Blankets Stolen from Santa Fe, NM residence.

The Case # is #00012310, S.F. Police Department, Officer Brenner. Owner is Jeff Kahn, (800) 370-1608. (office) (480) 585-5093 (home). Please notify owner if found.

  • 1. White and red Navajo Double Saddle blanket with black crosses. 35″ x 58″ .
  • 2. Navajo Double Saddle blanket, two panels each of the four corners have different colors in a checkerboard panel. Woven in one panel is the name John Lemone. in the upper panel are 4 or 5 numbers.

Items reported Stolen in 2000 - Multiple Locations

400 Artifacts Discovered Missing from the Facilities of the Wisconsin Historical Society, Fall, 2000

Stolen Blanket

In the fall of 2000, the Wisconsin Historical Society made a shocking discovery: hundreds of artifacts from their collection had been taken, and one of their own ex-staff members was a primary suspect. In October 2001, former WHS curator, David Wooley, plead guilty to 14 counts of felony theft and 3 counts of failing to file a state tax return. Hundreds of artifacts remain at large. More details are available at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/rmw/RMW-002_200903F03.html .

Anyone with more information about the missing artifacts should contact the Wisconsin Historical Society atfeedback@wisconsinhistory.org or browse to http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/ .

Pottery Stolen from The Museum of Man

The pottery depicted in the photographs below were stolen in a burglary at the Museum of Man in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101 one week before they were to go on exhibit (01-10-2000). Several other items, not pictured, were included in the theft. Anyone having information regarding this investigation is requested to contact Detective Craig Speck at 619-525-8427 or Detective Sergeant Joe Wood at 619-525-8449 of the San Diego Police Department Central Investigations Division.

 

Stolen Hopi Seed Jar
This jar, 6.5 cm h x 6.2 cm dia, with three ears of corn, one ear is red, two are black, all with some white kernels, burnished red with cream-colored relief, is signed “Gary Polacca Nampeyo, 77” . The bottom has a prior mark “150.00” .

Stolen Hopi Seed Jar
This seed jar, 5.7 cm. high x 6.2 cm dia, has a red sgraffito stag head on a cream background, signed “78, Ellsworth Polacca Nampeyo, (corn plant hallmark.)”

Stolen Hopi Jar
This jar, 13.4 cm high x 16.9 cm dia, red and black design on cream background, is signed “Leah Nampeyo (Corn Stalk Hallmark)”, with “1296” in pencil on base.


Stolen Hopi Bowl
This bowl, 11.0 cm high x 16.2 cm dia, red and black design migrational eagle on cream background, some surface pits, abrasion near rim, is marked “Harold Nampeyo 19_4,” “KXIL”, label “400.00” on base.
 

Stolen Hopi Bowl
This bowl, 7.7 cm h x 7.8 cm dia, has raised, carved, brown pattern of eagle, ground squirrels and wolf in landscape of mesas and crosshatched sky on a light tan background, marked “Loren H. Nampeyo” with hallmark of corn stalk on base.

Stolen Hopi Seed Jar
This seed jar, 7.1 cm h x 7.3 cm dia, redware with brown, carved bear design on cream background sgrafitto carved feather design, clouds and bear paw, is signed “Gary Polacca Nampeyo” on base.

 

Stolen Hopi Plate
This plate, 0.4 cm h x 23.7 cm dia, has carved brown hawk and eagle sgraffito design on cream background with 16 coral and 3 turquoise round stones, is signed “Nampeyo, 79” on base.

Stolen Santa Clara Polychrome Bowl
This polychrome bowl, 9.2 cm h x 23.7 cm dia, has two polychrome eagles in black and rust on interior. Outside surface is painted rust up to midpoint, has one fire cloud, painted pattern on light background bordered by two narrow black bands, possibly made by Maria and Julian ca. 1920-1923, has gummed sticker residue on base.

Stolen Hopi Jar
This jar, 8.5 cm h x 12 cm dia, has red and black geometric designs on a cream background, signed “Melda Nampeyo” with corn ear hallmark on base. Has “100(00underlined)” price mark pencilled on base.

The pottery depicted in the photographs above were stolen in a burglary at the Museum of Man in Balboa Park, San Diego, ca.92101 one week before they were to go on exhibit (01-10-2000). Several other items, not pictured, were included in the theft. Anyone having information regarding this investigation is requested to contact Detective Craig Speck at 619-525-8427 or Detective Sergeant Joe Wood at 619-525-8449 of the San Diego Police Department Central Investigations Division.

Items reported Stolen - 1999 and earlier - Multiple Locations

Late Classic Navajo Blanket Stolen in Baltimore, MD, February 1, 1999

Late Classic blanket that was apparently stolen on 2/1/99. The blanket measures 49″ x 68″, is made out of handspun wool with a red synthetic dye, indigo and a vegetal dyed yellow. Anyone with knowledge of the blanket should contact the Baltimore County police department, Cockeysville barracks. The case number is 00900525.

Stolen Navajo Rug Collection - Aug 18, 1999

These items were stolen from a Navajo rug collector on August 18, 1999. If you have any information on any of these rugs, please contact either Detective Brian Christensen or Detective Rick Wermuth, Teton County Sheriff’s office, 307-733-4052, Case number 992912.

Stolen Navajo JB Moore Rug

Stolen JB Moore Rug

Stolen Navajo Rug, 3’x5′

Stolen Navajo Rug, 3’x6′

Stolen Navajo Hubbell Rug

Stolen Navajo Rug, 4-1/2′ x 4′

Stolen Navajo JB Moore Rug, 3′ x 6′ 

Stolen Navajo Germantown Rug, 9′ x 5′, with close up

tagged with original metal tag, Lorimer Collection

Stolen Navajo Rug, 4 in 1

Stolen Navajo Rug, 59″ x 37″

Stolen Navajo Germantown Rug, 3′ x 5′

Stolen Navajo JB Moore Rug, 3-1/2′ x 5′

Stolen Navajo Rug, Large

Stolen Navajo 3rd Phase Chief’s Blanket, 3′ x 6′

Stolen Navajo Rug, 3′ x 6′

Stolen Navajo Rug, Small

Stolen Navajo Rug, 3′ x 5′

If you have any information on any of these rugs, please contact either Detective Brian Christensen or Detective Rick Wermuth, Teton County Sheriff’s office, 307-733-4052, Case number 992912.

Stolen Guro Pulley and Dan Mask - April 1998

On or about April 27, 1998, someone removed two items from 137 Topsail Mall, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292. These items are described as:

  • Guro Pulley
  • Guro Tribe (Near Ivory Coast)
  • African Classic Art, circa 1900
  • wood, 6″ to 6-1/2″ tall
  • excellent condition, but horns broken off
  • great dark patina – almost crusty
  • Dan Mask
  • Dan Tribe, Liberia, Africa
  • African Classic Art, circa 1900
  • wood, 13.7 cm tall
  • perfect condition, very dark crusty patina

If you have any information on either of these two items, please contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Pacific Division, referring to case #98149282, or Herbert or Lenore Schorr at 310-821-8840.

A Mimbres Bowl (“The Cane Dancer”) Was Stolen At the Tucson Gem Show, February 9, 1998

The pictured 6″ wide pre-historic Mimbres bowl (“The Cane Dancer” ) was stolen at the Tucson Gem Show, 2/9/98. If seen, please contact Detective Frank Hand, Tucson Police Dept. (520)-791-4499 x 1262, or Hank Johnson, HD Enterprises, (303)-695-1301. Reward for recovery.

Karok Hat and Squash Blossom Necklace Stolen from Columbia, California Home, March 11, 1998

Stolen 19th Century Cheyenne Tail Bag - Aug. 1998

This 19th century Cheyenne tail bag was stolen during the “set up” for the Antique Indian Art Show at Sweeney Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico on August 17, 1998. If you have any information on this tail bag, please contact the Santa Fe Police Department, Attn. Officer J. Carlton, 505-473-5080 and refer to case number 980-2211, or phone Ed Berberian at 213-663-7248.

Stolen Hopi Pipe and Bag - Nov. 1998

Stolen Hopi Clay Pipe and Bag

A small Hopi clay pipe and bag was stolen from Marcy Burns’ booth at the Delaware Show in November 1998. The police report # is 01-98-95439, filed with the Delaware State Police, Troop One. The Contact is Officer Green, phone number 302-761-6677.

Stolen Transitional Blanket and Apache Olla

Stolen Transitional Blanket, 64″ x 49″ and Apache Olla

Apache Olla, 19″ h x 16″ dia. If you see either of these items, please call Detective J. C. Tyus, Denver Police, Fraud Unit, 303-640-3363 and refer to case number 990012080.

Chief’s Headdress and Two Medals Stolen from Canadian Lodge in April, 1997

In April 1997, the attached medals and headdress were stolen from the Nakoda Lodge on the Stoney Indian Reserve, near Calgary, Alberta. Both items are of significant historical value to the band. The headdress belonged to the Chief Jacob GOODSOTNEY when he signed Treaty 7 in 1877. The medals were presented to him at the time of the signing.

The headdress is made of Bead work, leather, eagle feathers and horse hair. The tassels on the headdress are horse hair which is attached to the feathers. The front is red and white bead work and the sides are red and white leather.

The medals are both silver, one with a blue ribbon and one with a red, white and blue ribbon. They were contained in a wooden box with a black velvet lining, which was fading as a result of its age.

We have included pictures of the headdress and of the medals. This is the actual headdress and the medals in the box are the actual medals.

In case these artifacts are recovered, please contact Cst. Barry LeDoux at (403)932-2213, our file #: 1997-2379.

STOLEN - Curtis Photogravures - May 1997

On 5/8/97 the following Curtis Photogravures were discovered to be missing from Flury and Company, 322 First Avenue South, Seattle, Washington 98104. These listed prints were in a single box.

Click Here to see the full list.

If you have any information on these prints, please call the Seattle, Washington police department and refer to incident number 97-251247, as reported by Lois Flury, or call the gallery at 206-587-0260, fax number 206-382-3519.

Stolen Navajo Rugs - May 1997

On 5/28/97, the Navajo rugs shown above were discovered to be missing from Flury and Company, 322 First Avenue South, Seattle, Washington 98104. The pictorial rug on the left is 74-1/4″ x 53-1/2″ . The regional rug on the right is 54-1/2″ x 38-1/4″ . If you have any information on these rugs, please call the Seattle, Washington police department and refer to incident number 97-225213, as reported by C. Davis, or call the gallery at 206-587-0260, fax number 206-382-3519.

Stolen Ledger Drawings - Nov. 1997

These ten ledger book drawings, seven by Swift Dog and three from the Edwards Ledger Book, were stolen from the Mark Lansburgh residence approximately November 28, 1997. Size approximately 8″ x11″ . The colors in the images above are not precise. If you have any information about these drawings, please contact Mark Lansburgh, 271 Coyote Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87505, phone 505-471-4111 or contact Major Madrid at the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department, 505-986-2460.