Native American Portrait Tray Set (Chief and Warrior)
Decorative art, specifically lithographed souvenir metal trays • Anonymous commercial illustrator; mass-produced for the souvenir or giftware market
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Americana / Kitsch; Romanticized Realism
Medium & Technique
Transfer-printed lithography on stamped sheet metal, likely finished with a clear lacquer coating
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century, approximately 1940s-1960s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 11 to 13 inches in diameter; circular format with raised, scalloped edges
Subject Description
Two circular trays featuring portraits of Native American men. The top tray depicts an elder in a full eagle feather war bonnet with yellow and red accents. The bottom tray depicts a man with a traditional roach headdress, featuring a landscape background with evergreen trees and water. Both utilize idealized, stereotypical imagery common in mid-century American decor.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Fair; visible surface wear including minor scratches, edge scuffing, and possible light oxidation on the metal rims
Estimated Market Value
$40.00 - $80.00 USD for the pair
Auction Estimate
$30.00 - $60.00 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired via a roadside souvenir shop, department store, or catalog as a household decorative item; passed through private hands
Art Historical Significance
Illustrates the mid-century American fascination with 'Western' motifs and indigenous imagery used as decorative kitsch. It reflects the commercialization of Native American identity during the pre-civil rights era of American consumerism.
Notable Features
Scalloped decorative edges and the use of high-contrast, saturated colors typical of vintage tin lithography
Condition Issues
Abrasions to the lithograph surface, minor denting along the metal edges, and loss of gold-tone paint on the scalloped borders
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in a dry environment to prevent rust; clean only with a soft, dry microfiber cloth; avoid abrasive cleaners or moisture which may lift the lithographed image