Lot 131

Rare Ambrotype of Seneca War Chief Blacksnake, Fought With Loyalists in Rev. War!

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Rare Ambrotype of Seneca War Chief Blacksnake, Fought With Loyalists in Rev. War!

Estimate: $2,400 - $3,500

Current Bid: $800

(1 Bid)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Governor Blacksnake
n.p., ca. 1850s
Rare Ambrotype of Seneca War Chief Blacksnake, Fought With Loyalists in Rev. War!
Photograph

Fantastic sixth plate ambrotype of Seneca leader and war chief Blacksnake (ca. 1760-1859). Measures 2.5" x 3", n.p., ca. early 1850s. Captured later in life, but notably earlier than the more widely circulated portrait taken in the late 1850s, the offered image shows Blacksnake seated from the waist-up in a black overcoat and cravat. Housed within a period embossed case, measuring 3.25" x 3.75" x .5" overall. Top section of case has been detached, with one clasp missing to side panel. Minor surface cracking near the lower right, not affecting overall quality of image. Little to no silvering present. A near fine example.

Thaonawyuthe, commonly referred to in English as Chainbreaker or Governor Blacksnake, was a Seneca war chief and sachem. Along with other Iroquois leaders, most notably Mohawk chief Joseph Brant (1743-1807), he led warriors to fight on the side of the British during the American Revolution. He would play a prominent role at the 1777 Battle of Oriskany, in which the Loyalist and allied forces ambushed a group of Patriots. Blacksnake later allied with the United States in the War of 1812, and encouraged some accommodation to European-American settlers, allowing missionaries and teachers on the Seneca reservation.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 3.25" x 3.75"
  • Medium: Photograph

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000