Dig It - 7/15/24
Well Fellow Seekers, today we are going to look at a Lakota Parfleche that came out of Andy Warhol’s Collection. It's a pretty fabulous piece, with strong colors and graphics. It reminds me of a story from way, way back when Lonesome was just a little nipper...
I joined the Museum of American Indian when I was 14 or 15. The M.A.I. was located at 155th Street and Broadway back then, in Audubon Terrace, way up in Harlem. My Mother would drive me into town from New Jersey and we would go to the Museum. The parking was a little dicey back then, as was the walk to the Museum, but once inside it was wonderful. The museum had a small shop, run by Mary Williams, who was very nice to me. I would spend my Christmas or birthday money on a little pre-Columbian figurine or some Plains beadwork. If I found something Indian at an antique store in New Jersey, Mary or Dr. Dockstader would identify it for me.
At some point, I found a couple of early Navajo rugs that I consigned to the Museum Shop to sell. (I guess that means I have been dealing for 54 or 55 years?) Once in awhile, Andy Warhol would come into the shop while we were there. At the time I did not know who the hell he was, but he sure looked strange, with horrible skin and that peculiar wig. I do not remember him saying much, but he would stare at my Mother, who was a real beauty. Warhol was definitely kind of creepy to me. Anyway, Andy bought my transitional rugs so I guess he was my first customer. That was a nice little trip down memory lane from long, long ago, Fellow Seekers. Keep Searching, Keep Seeking!
- Lonesome.