Herb Kawainui Kane Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Herb Kawainui Kane Art Value Price Guide

Jan. 09, 2025
Herb Kawainui Kane, American 1928-2011, Whale and Mermaid
Est: $300 - $500
Herb Kawainui Kane American, 1928-2011 Whale and Mermaid bronze 1989, signed, and dated ed. 21/90
Abell Auction
Sep. 19, 2024
Painting, Herb Kawainui Kane
Est: $600 - $900
Herb Kawainui Kane (American, 1928-2011), Untitled (Hawaiian Scene), gouache on board, signed lower left, board: 9"h x 15.5"w, overall (with frame): 16"h x 21"w
Clars Auctions
Jan. 03, 2021
Herb Kawainui Kane (1928 - 2011) "Breadfruit"
Est: $500 - $1,000
Herb Kawainui Kane (American, 1928 - 2011) "1800s Life in Marshalls - Breadfruit" Signed lower left. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the First Day Cover for the Republic of the Marshall Islands 29c Woman with Breadfruit stamp issued September 15, 1993. The memorable HMS Bounty, which saw Captain William Bligh ousted by mutiny, was originally on a mission to retrieve breadfruit trees from Tahiti. This starchy fruit was a vital source of sustenance for many islanders, including the Marshallese. Breadfruit not only provided nourishment, but the tree itself was a valuable source of wood used in the construction of canoes. Even the tree's sap was employed, after being rendered over a fire, as glue and caulk. In 1817, French artist Louis Choris sketched the people of the Marshall Islands, often portraying them in the midst of their day-to-day activities. Image Size: 14.75 x 18 in. Overall Size: 18 x 21.25 in. Unframed. (B14470)
Helmuth Stone
Nov. 15, 2020
Herb Kawainui Kane (1928 - 2011) Tattooed Warrior
Est: $500 - $1,000
Herb Kawainui Kane (American, 1928 - 2011)Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board titled, "1800s Life in the Marshalls - Tattooed Warrior" Signed lower left. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the First Day Cover for the Republic of the Marshall Islands 29c Warrior with Canoes stamp issued Septemer 15, 1993. Since most warfare in the Marshalls took place between neighboring islands, canoes were significant part of the fighting. Warring factions heavily depended upon these vessels to wage attacks on their enemies. The weapons thought to have been fashioned from the spiny tails of stingrays lashed to pointed wooden shafts. Undoubtedly, a skilled spear thrower could win many a battle with such a fierce weapon. The attire of the warrior was similar to that of all ancient Marshallese men. He wore a kilt of narrow pandanus leaf strips over a loincloth of plaited pandanus matting, and his torso was profusely tattooed with intricate patterns. Image Size: 14.75 x 17.75 in. Overall Size: 18 x 21 in. Unframed. (B14474)
Helmuth Stone
Nov. 15, 2020
Herb Kawainui Kane (1928 - 2011) Marshall Islands
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
Herb Kawainui Kane (American, 1928 - 2011) Original Acrylic painting on Illustration Board titled, "Marshall Islands Christmas Carolers" Signed lower left. Original Acrylic painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was published on the First Day Cover for the Republic of the Marshall Islands 29c Silent Night stamp issued October 25, 1993. On Christmas Eve of 1818, in the town of Oberndorf, Austria, Pastor Joseph Mohr wrote the lyrics to one of the best-loved carols of all time, Silent Night. Without Mohr's tenacity there would have been no music for his parish's Christmas services because the church organ was in disrepair. Inspired by a mother and baby that he had visited earlier in the day, and with the aid of the local schoolmaster Franz Gruber, Mohr created a song that could be performed by guitar. Although the hymn was forgotten among the choir manuscripts for many years, it was rediscovered and made popular by a family of singers who toured Europe and America more than 20 years after its debut. Today, 175 years after it was written, Silent Night has become a Christmas tradition. In the Marshall Islands, where it's known as Bon Emman, this stirring hymn is often heard echoing through the island palms on a moonlit evening. Image Size: 17.5 x 21 in. Overall Size: 20.75 x 24.25 in. Unframed. (B14543)
Helmuth Stone
Oct. 04, 2020
Herb Kawainui Kane (1928 - 2011) "Young Chiefs"
Est: $500 - $1,000
Herb Kawainui Kane (American, 1928 - 2011) "1800s Life in the Marshalls - Young Chiefs" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the First Day Cover for the Republic of the Marshall Islands 29c Young Chief stamp issued September 15, 1993. The art is an adaptation from sketches made in 1817 by Frenchman Louis Choris. They handsomely portray a member of the Marshall Islands' ruling class. A crown of flowers intertwine with plaited pandanus fibers indicates the high social status of the young man pictured. By the 19th century, the social structure of the Marshall Islands was highly organized. Each clan was led by a hereditary chief, and together the leaders were known as irooj. The rank of chief continues to be handed down from generation to generation, and today's irooj are not only held in high esteem, but are part of the present-day Marshallese parliament known as the Nitijelia. Image Size: 14.75 x 17.75 in. Overall Size: 18 x 21 in. Unframed. (B14475)
Helmuth Stone
Oct. 04, 2020
Herb Kawainui Kane (1928 - 2011) "Drummers"
Est: $500 - $1,000
Herb Kawainui Kane (American, 1928 - 2011) "1800s Life in the Marshalls - Drummers & Dancers" Signed lower left. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the First Day Cover for the Republic of the Marshall Islands 29c Drummer and Dancers stamp issued September 15, 1993. The rhythmic beat of a drum guided the graceful motions of ancient Marshallese dancers. Often these undulating movements were performed while sitting or kneeling, drawing attention to the ornately-tattooed arms of the female dancers. The floral crown worn by one of the women suggests she was of a higher class than the others. Yet, all are dressed in traditional skirts fashioned from finely plaited pandanus leaf matting. Each woman also sports ear ornaments believed to have been created from the white inner bark of trees. This fascinating glimpse into the 19th-century Marshallese life is attributed to French artist Louis Choris. Image Size: 14.75 x 17.75 in. Overall Size: 18 x 21 in. Unframed. (B14476)
Helmuth Stone
Oct. 04, 2020
Herb Kawainui Kane (1928 - 2011) "Tiare"
Est: $500 - $1,000
Herb Kawainui Kane (American, 1928 - 2011) "Flowers of the Pacific - Tiare" Signed lower left. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 33c Tiare stamp issued February 18, 1999. One of the largest families of dicotyledonous plants, Rubiaceae includes 600 genera and some 11,000 species. Members of Rubiaceae are extremely diverse, extending from the tropics to the arctic in the form of herbs, shrubs and trees. All representatives possess decussately arranged leaves and bisexual flowers that are radially symmetric with four to five sepals and three, four or five petals. Prized for their beauty and fragrance, Tiare flowers are often used to make leis. In some island groups, it is a custom for men to wear a Tiare flower bud over their ear when relaxing in the evening or going out to a party. Tiare blooms are also used to add fragrance to Monoi, a refined coconut oil skin and hair lotion, once associated with religious use. Image Size: 12.75 x 16 in. Overall Size: 15.25 x 19.75 in. Unframed. (B16266)
Helmuth Stone
Aug. 23, 2020
Herb Kawainui Kane (1928 - 2011)
Est: $500 - $1,000
Herb Kawainui Kane (American, 1928 - 2011) "Traditional Marshallese Messenger" Signed lower right. Original Oil on Illustration Board. Comes with original sketch of stamp layout also. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 29c 10th Anniversary of Postal Service Souvenir Sheet issued May 2, 1994. Before mail service was initiated in the Marshall Islands, correspondence was transported both by foot and canoe. When missives were sent between chiefs, the messenger would also deliver a gift chosen in accordance with the recipient's status. Often the token would be a fine handcrafted item or food, such as preserved pandanus fruit. Even the dress of the carrier was determined by the recipient's social position. When messages were brought by canoe, the carrier stood by the outrigger section of the boat and signaled to those on shore. A raised paddle was a sign of peace while one that was vigorously waved indicated that the message was urgent. In 1984, the government of the Marshall Islands established its own postal administration for domestic mail. This painting displays traditional methods of message delivery. Image Size: 21.25 x 27.25 in. Overall Size: 23.75 x 29.75 in. Unframed. (B14646)
Helmuth Stone
Aug. 23, 2020
Herb Kawainui Kane (1928 - 2011) Watercraft Racing
Est: $500 - $1,000
Herb Kawainui Kane (American, 1928 - 2011) "Flowers of the Pacific - Vanda" Signed lower left. Original Acrylic painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 34c Watercraft Racing stamps issued April 6, 2001. A bouquet of colorful sails billows in the breeze creating beautiful patterns of color on the water as canoes, windsurfers, sailing dinghies and cruising yachts forge through the waves. Boating has been an important part of the culture for centuries. In ancient times, Polynesians built light-weight canoes for fishing and exploratory voyages. Since then, boating has remained vital to marine industries and has become an exciting recreational activity, with watercraft races held throughout the year. This artwork portrays a detailed image of a popular racing watercraft: Canoeing, Windsurfing, Cruising Yacht, and Sailing Dinghy. Image Size: 9.75 x 15.75 in. Overall Size: 17 x 22.5 in. Unframed. (B16926)
Helmuth Stone
Aug. 23, 2020
Herb Kawainui Kane (1928 - 2011) "Vanda"
Est: $500 - $1,000
Herb Kawainui Kane (American, 1928 - 2011) "Flowers of the Pacific - Vanda" Signed lower left. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 33c Vanda stamp issued February 18, 1999. Perhaps the largest family of flowering plants, Orchidaceae includes about 800 genera and some 20,000 species distributed throughout the world. All are perennial herbs with swollen stem bases and tuberous roots. Arranged spirally or in two opposite rows, the leaves are often thick and leathery. Some orchids are no larger than a person's thumbnail. Others, however, have flowers with petals two feet long! Many of the tropical species thrive on the surfaces of tree branches and trunks where their aerial roots dangle freely beneath them. Although Orchidaceae flowers are of a vast range of form, size and color, they are always breathtaking. The tropical Vandas are among the most beautiful with their flowers poised like graceful butterflies on slender stems. Image Size: 12.75 x 16 in. Overall Size: 14.75 x 20 in. Unframed. (B16265)
Helmuth Stone
Jul. 05, 2020
Herb Kawainui Kane (1928 - 2011) "Kor Kor"
Est: $300 - $500
Herb Kawainui Kane (American, 1928 - 2011) "Marshallese Racing Canoes - Kor kor" Signed lower right. Original Acrylic painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the First Day Cover for the Republic of the Marshall Islands 32c Racing Canoe stamp issued July 10, 1997. The kor kor is a small rowing canoe, often rigged with a sail and capable of carrying one or two people. It was specially designed for fishing and travel inside the protected waters of lagoons in the Marshall Islands, which are separated from the open sea by barrier coral reefs. After World War II and the growth of Western civilization on the Marshall Islands, the art of canoe building began a significant decline. Today, this ancient craft has been revived by the Waan Aelon Kein Project, organized to foster canoe building skills among Marshallese. Though the art of canoe building was at one time restricted to certain families, today most Marshallese can construct canoes and the valuable skill is widespread among those living on the atolls in the region. Image Size: 17.75 x 24 in. Overall Size: 20 x 26 in. Unframed. (B14573)
Helmuth Stone