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North American Indians (Page under development)
Dakota-Minnehaha #702
Onondaga-Hiawatha #701
Blackfeet-Medicine Man #703
Cree-Indian Magic Boy #706W
Shoshone-Sacajawea #705
Apache Chato
Released 1974
Introduced as a limited edition restricted to 350 copies for distribution among the lower 48 United States, an additional 150 copies were designated for distribution abroad. Chato was released as the sixth sculpture in the North American Indian collection.
Issue / Completed Price
$1,950 $3,975
Design number 711
By 1988 the declared number for the continental U.S. was increased to 500 with 50 for distribution outside the lower 48. Chato disappeared from the price list by the Fall of 1990. It is doubtful all 550 copies declared were ever produced.
Measures 13"
The studio often changed base shapes and wood types depending on options available from the vendor. Pieces produced near the end of the production run have been seen with plain square bases.
Many of the accessories seen next to Chato are periodically missing on items sold on the secondary market. They have been broken off, usually due to improper handling.
The sticks in the fire will frequently be loose and or missing. The were attached with an adhesive/bonding agent.
No significant design variations have been noted but skin tones range from dark to light.
Crow Dancer Great Thunder
Released 1977
Introduced as a limited edition restricted to 200 copies, Crow Dancer was completed in 1981. Unlike the other sculptures released in the American Indian collection, the Crow Dancer did not have a designated number of copies specified for distribution outside the continental U.S. It may have been determined the piece was too complex and fragile for extended shipping.
Issue / Completed Price
$3,875 $4,150
Design number 715
This introduction representing the Crow was the seventh sculpture in the collection of North American Indians. All 200 copies were produced in just under four years.
This piece is extremely complex and intricate requiring any prospective owner to spend extra time examining a potential purchase for damage or repairs. Numerous items have sold at auction in recent years with minimal to excessive damage. While a missing feather (held in his hand) is obvious many smaller damaged or missing parts could go unnoticed if careful diligence is not given.
Measures 19" tall
At 19" tall, Great Thunder was the tallest of the sculptures in the collection when released in 1977. He was attached to the wooden base. Stated measurements given for items listed on the secondary market range from 18 1/2" to 19" tall.
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No design variations have been noted. Minor differences are observed in skin tone.
Iroquois "At the Council Fire," Dekanawida and Atotarho
Released 1973
The Iroquois were introduced as the fifth sculpture in the North American Indian series. Released as a numbered edition limited to 350 copies, an additional 150 copies were declared for distribution outside the continental U.S. Upon its introduction, At the Council Fire was the most expensive sculpture in the North American Indian collection. It was the highest priced sculpture listed on the 1973 price list among all Cybis sculptures. Cybis publications indicate the edition size was reduced to less than half the declared number for a final count of 225. This was another obvious error in the studio's record keeping. Among the dozens of copies documented as having sold on the secondary market in the last 25 years, edition numbers 253, 277, 281, 289, 295, 348, 380 and 430 have all been recorded. It is highly probable ALL 500 copies were indeed produced and sold. The edition was completed and closed in 1981. It is not known how many copies were sold in the U.S. or how many were shipped outside the continental United States.
Issue / Completed Price
$4,250 $4,975
Design number 710
Who is who? Printed publications state the official full name of this sculpture as, Iroquois "At the Council Fire," DeKanawida and Atotarho. Because DeKanawida is the first name given in the sculpture's title, most assume DeKanawida is the man seated on the left. That's not the case. Cybis marketing material for Fall 1973 titled, The Phoenix, clarifies this where it states:
Iroquois, At the Council Fire
Left - Atotarho, Keeper of the Council Fire and Wampum
Right - Dekanawida, prophet, saint and mystic
A Wampum is a traditional belt made of polished shell beads used by the Iroquois for storytelling, recording treaties, and preserving council decisions around a council fire. The man on the left is holding a Wampum leaving no doubt as to each man's name.
Measures 13" tall
Measurements stated in publications are 13" tall by 16" long. Bases on the earlier copies are dark stained wood. Later sculptures made after 1979 will be found with bases made from a resin material introduced to reduce costs as the studio began experimenting with alternate materials. The example in this collection is #348 and has the black resin base.
As explained in the Q&A section found at the bottom of the home page, the studio often numbered individual sculptures out of order during production runs. If an edition was fully subscribed and all sculptures were sold, there was never a question about how the numbers were assigned. In the case of a few editions, the studio claimed the final number produced was less than the declared number. Yet sculptures with numbers higher than the reduced number regularly surface. Oddly enough there are explanations for this. Read the possible scenarios offered in the Q&A under "Why are some sculptures numbered higher than the restricted number declared?" Ironically, it is clear that none of those explanations apply to At the Council Fire. Carelessness, negligence and lack of proper review when preparing historical records is at fault here.
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If mishandled or packed improperly for shipping, the pipe Dekanawida holds can become detached.
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Two points of concern should be considered if purchasing this sculpture. The first area to note is the pile of sticks on the council fire. They are often seen missing or loose. The arrangement may vary from sculpture to the next. The earliest copies were attached with porcelain slip and fired creating a solid piece of porcelain. Later copies were attached with a bonding agent and often separated over time. The next area to examine is the top of the headdress worn by Atotarho. The three feathers will often be damaged or missing. Check for "repairs" or missing pieces. A piece with no damage will have three complete feathers as shown in the next images.
The next area to examine is the top of the headdress worn by Atotarho. The three feathers will often be damaged or missing.
Only minor color variations have been noted while design variations are observed in the placement of the ceremonial masks from one sculpture to the next. Each sculpture should have a total of four masks attached in various places around the base of the sculpture.
Lakota - Wankan Tanka The Great Spirit
Released 1979
The Great Spirit was introduced in 1979 as a limited edition restricted to 200. No additional copies were designated for distribution beyond the continental United States. All 200 copies were produced and the edition was closed in 1983.
Issue / Completed Price
$3,500 $4,150
Design number 704
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Measures 17" tall
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Choctaw Tascalusa Lacrosse Player
Released 1982
Introduced as a limited edition restricted to 200 copies, that number was later increased to allow for an additional 25 copies for distribution beyond the 48 contiguous United States. By 1988 his name was shortened to Choctaw Tascalusa.
Issue / Completed Price
$2,475 $4,950 on the 1999 price list
Design number 716
The price increases on this piece more than doubled over the 17 years it appeared on published price lists. While availability continued on the studio's website into the 2000's it was never completed.
Measures 16" tall
Measures 16" tall
A majority of the sculptures appearing on the secondary market have been noted with damage to the lacrosse sticks. They are found broken, missing or replaced various items as substitutes.
Pueblo Eagle Dancer
Released 1984
Introduced as a limited edition restricted to 200 copies, that number was later increased to allow for an additional 25 copies for distribution beyond the 48 contiguous United States.
Issue / Completed Price
$3,250 $4,950 on the 1999 price list
Design number 718
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Measures 20 3/4" tall
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Yaqui Deer Dancer
Released 1985
Initially released the Yaqui was introduced as a limited edition restricted to 200 copies for release in the continental U.S. and 15 for distribution beyond the 48 contiguous states. The number for distribution outside the lower 48 was later increased to 25.
Issue / Completed Price
$2,095 $3,995 on the 1999 price list
Design number 719
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