Rare Goingback Chiltoskey Vintage Goose Wood Carving Cherokee Native American For Sale

At first, and perhaps second glance, this diminutive item appears unassuming and unremarkable, however this is a very important wood carving. Whilst only 5cm, or 2 inches tall, this is a vintage, exceedingly rare and very precious wooden hand-carved goose by Goingback Chiltoskey. Signed on the underside \"G.B. Chiltoskey Cherokee 77.C.\" James \"Goingback\" Chiltoskey (aka Goingback Chiltoskie) 1907 - 2000 was born in Piney Grove, North Carolina, USA. He was a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. He was a one of the most celebrated Cherokee woodcarvers of the Craft Revival era.In addition to being a master wood carver, Chiltoskey was a model maker, and made items for the motion picture industry and for the US Army during WWII.Pieces by Chiltoskey are held in museum collections around the USA, including the North Carolina Museum of Art and the National Museum of the American Indian (part of the Smithsonian in Washington D.C.).The Smithsonian has a similar goose carving by Chiltoskey in holly as part of their collection, although theirs is dated 1952.Chiltoskey pieces are rarely offered for sale in the open market. Ideally, due to its significance, this piece would enter a serious curated collection. Please carefully view all photos to determine the condition of the piece. I have not attempted to clean or refresh it in any way; what you see in the photos is how I received this piece. I don\'t know if the surface of the piece has discoloured in some areas, or if it is simply the natural markings of the wood. I am unsure as to the species of wood used to carve this piece. It is possibly holly, apple or buckeye, but Chiltoskey also used exotic woods upon request, so it could be something else entirely. A very uncommon opportunity to acquire a piece of work by an important Cherokee artisan.

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