1855 McKenney & Hall TO-KA-CON Sioux Chief Original Hand-Colored Lithograph For Sale

McKenney & Hall – “TO-KA-CON, A SIOUX CHIEF”Original 1855 Hand-Colored LithographOffered here is an original 19th-century hand-colored lithograph of To-Ka-Con, A Sioux Chief, from Thomas L. McKenney and James Hall’s celebrated History of the Indian Tribes of North America.Published in Philadelphia by D. Rice & A.N. Hart in 1855 and printed and hand-colored by J.T. Bowen, this is an authentic period lithographic plate—not a modern reproduction.The portrait belongs to one of the most important visual records of Native American leaders produced in 19th-century America. McKenney’s project grew out of the Indian Gallery assembled in Washington, D.C., and the published portraits were based largely upon paintings by Charles Bird King and other artists depicting Native American delegates and leaders who traveled to Washington.The historical importance of the series is heightened by the fact that most of the original Indian Gallery paintings were destroyed in the Smithsonian fire of 1865, leaving the McKenney & Hall lithographs as an important surviving visual record of many of the individuals portrayed.This striking portrait depicts To-Ka-Con in elaborate dress and beadwork, wearing feathers and earrings and holding a curved sword. The exceptionally detailed hand coloring gives the portrait the visual richness for which the McKenney & Hall series is renowned.Details• Subject: To-Ka-Con, A Sioux Chief
• McKenney & Hall, History of the Indian Tribes of North America
• Philadelphia: D. Rice & A.N. Hart
• Date: 1855
• Medium: Original hand-colored lithograph
• Printed/colored by J.T. Bowen, Philadelphia
• Original 19th-century issue — not a modern reproductionThe publisher/printer information is visible beneath the portrait and provides important evidence identifying the period and edition.An exceptional piece of 19th-century American, Western, Native American and printmaking history, suitable for a serious historical-art collection, library, office or study.Please review all photographs carefully for condition, coloring, margins and framing. Photographs form part of the description.