One of the most important things experience teaches you is knowing when not to force an answer.
Recently, a Tampa woman brought in many items we were happy to purchase. One piece, however, stumped us: a Colonial-era Native American sash or belt in red cloth, with bold white beadwork. The age and craftsmanship were clear, but when I searched for comparable auction results, I came up short. Most were later, of lesser quality, or simply not comparable. This one stood apart.
But it wasn’t perfect. There is bead loss, fraying, and honest wear consistent with age. And then there was a detail that turned uncertainty into genuine intrigue: a large silver medallion sewn into the sash, engraved “Charles Carson Aged 33 Years 1810.” That suggests Mr. Carson was born around 1777, placing him squarely in early American history.
Who was Charles Carson? A Choctaw man with an Anglo name? A European or American significant to the Choctaw? A trader, interpreter or intermediary? At this point, we don’t know, in spite of Katrina’s and my hours of research … and that matters.
Rather than assign a number I couldn’t stand behind, I recommended auction … the great equalizer. Our audience and customer base for early Native American material is deep, knowledgeable, and especially attuned to objects from the Colonial period, a true scarcity. We found a VERY similar example in a Denver museum … but no sales records.
We’ve placed a modest estimate of $800–$1,200 on the sash, and it will be sold without reserve. The market will decide its value. And perhaps, along the way, someone will help solve the mystery of Charles Carson.
Because sometimes, the most honest answer is also the most valuable one.
