Tribal Chief Portrait Appraisal

McKenney & Hall Hand-Colored Lithograph of Tah-Chee (Dutch), a Cherokee Chief

This is a framed, hand-colored lithograph depicting Tah-Chee (popularly known as Dutch), a Cherokee Chief, from the historic publication 'History of the Indian Tribes of North America' by Thomas McKenney and James Hall. The subject is portrayed in a three-quarter view, wearing traditional buckskin clothing with intricate beadwork on the sleeves and a red garment draped over his left shoulder. He holds a curved sword (saber) across his chest and wears a distinct feather headdress. The artwork features a visible monogram 'A.H.' in the lower right corner of the print. The piece is professionally presented in a double-matted arrangement—a thin white inner mat followed by a bold red primary mat—and housed within a wide, ornate gold-gilded frame with a repetitive reeded or thumbprint pattern. The entire assembly is set behind glass with an outer black mounting board visible. The style of the lithography and coloring suggests mid-19th-century production (circa 1836–1844). The condition appears excellent with consistent color saturation and no visible foxing, tearing, or moisture damage to the paper. The frame shows no significant chipping or loss of gilding. This print is a significant piece of Americana, representing a period of ethnographic documentation of Native American leaders.