Three choice lots from upcoming Heritage auctions
Ethnographic Art
Mrs. Dick Francisco, an esteemed Yokuts woman of the early 20th century, is widely celebrated for her exceptional basketmaking skills. Her intricately woven baskets, like this circa-1905 example, are renowned not only for their fine quality but also for the rich cultural symbolism and storytelling woven into their designs. Her work has even found its way into important museums and collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown, New York.
A Yokuts Polychrome Pictorial Coiled Basket
Mrs. Dick Francisco, circa 1905
Auction: June 13
Arms & Armor
The Colt Model 1877 Bulldog Gatling Gun stands as a remarkable innovation in the evolution of rapid-fire weaponry. Designed by Dr. Richard J. Gatling, this model introduced several advancements that set it apart from its predecessors. The Bulldog was notable for its compact design and the enclosed housing, which protected the gun’s mechanisms from debris and damage, and its high rate of fire made it a formidable presence on the battlefield, capable of delivering sustained firepower.
U.S. Colt Model 1877 Bulldog Gatling Gun Reissue
Auction: June 9
Photographs
Latvia-born photographer Philippe Halsman, who created a record 101 covers for Life magazine, met Spanish painter Salvador Dalí in 1941, when both were recent émigrés in New York City. The two became fast friends and artistic collaborators, melding their imaginations to create some of the 20th century’s wildest and most whimsical images. The duo’s decades-long relationship resulted in a multitude of striking photographs, including this 1940s-era image of Dalí.