Lot 111
Unidentified Ainu Artist
Lot 111 Details
Unidentified Ainu Artist
ATTUSH CEREMONIAL ROBE AND SAPANPE FORMERLY BELONGING TO MANASIE AKPALIAPIK, CA. 1989
elmbark fiber, cotton, embroidery thread, indigo dye, wood, willow shavings
inscribed in hiragana on paper wrapping "ゆあつらえ" (custom made)
47.5 x 52.25 x 2 in — 120.7 x 132.7 x 5.1 cm
Estimate $2,000-$4,000
Additional Images
Provenance:
Acquired directly from Manasie Akpaliapik by the present Private Collection, Toronto, ON, ca. 1990
Note:
Acquired from the sculptor Manasie Akpaliapik circa 1990 by an art dealer and friend of the artist, this Ainu attush ceremonial robe and sapanpe (ceremonial headdress) is reputed to have been gifted to Akpaliapik on behalf of the Ainu at the 1989 Ainu Cultural Society conference in Shraoi Hokaido, Japan during the artist’s attendance.
Historically, Ainu robes were made for utilitarian use as well as ceremonial applications. Ceremonial Ainu robes are important objects of prestige and rarely worn. The present robe is accompanied by a sapanpe bearing a carved effigy of a bear head. The sapanpe is typically worn during Iomante (sending off the bear) ceremonies and other festivals, or to celebrate important guests.
HALI. "Anatomy of an object: Ainu attush robe." HALI. July 1, 2020. https://hali.com/news/anatomy-of-an-object-ainu-attush-robe/