Charles Bird King (American, 1785-1862). "Tuko-See-Mathla A Seminole Chief." Hand-colored lithograph from a folio edition of McKenney and Hall's Indian Tribes of North America. Published in Philadelphia: Daniel Rice & James G. Clark, 1843. "Drawn, Printed & Coloured at the Lithographic & Print Colouring Establishment, 94, Walnut St." A wonderful full-length portrait of Tuko-See-Mathla, a male Seminole chief who is presented standing and holding a rifle, wearing a striped, fringed wrap skirt and a striped shirt, with red sashes around his neck and waist, a red headdress with grey-black feathers and a scalloped, silver headband, silver cuff arm bands, fancy shin-high moccasins with buttons, and a grand medal around his neck. A striking original lithograph set in a beautiful custom red matte and a wooden frame with wonderful burled walnut and marquetry details. Size of visible lithograph (full sheet extends behind matte): 17.875" L x 9.875" W (45.4 cm x 25.1 cm) Size of frame: 27.5" L x 19.5" W (69.8 cm x 49.5 cm)

Also known as John Hicks, Tuko-See-Mathla was a prominent Native American leader who opposed United States slave raids into Florida, separate schools for indigenous peoples, and the movement to relocate the Seminoles from their lands. When leaders of various Native American tribes visited President Monroe, McKenney, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs and a champion of Native American interests, commissioned artists including Charles Bird King to paint portraits of the delegates in their choice of dress. Unfortunately, most of King's original paintings later burned in a fire at the Smithsonian. Given this, the lithographs published in McKenney and Hall's "Indian Tribes of North America" are the only surviving records of the likenesses of many important 19th century Native American leaders.

See: Howes M129. Bennett, American Nineteenth-Century Color Plate Books, p. 79. Field 992. Lipperheide Mc4. (Inventory #: 3458)

Provenance: ex Stein collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA, acquired prior to 2010

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#164469

This hand-colored lithograph has not been examined outside the frame. It appears to have mild toning to the sheet, but the imagery and text are vivid. Margins of the sheet are covered by the red matte. Frame is in excellent condition and is wired for suspension - ready to hang.