In September 2019, Bonhams hosted its very first Native American art sale dedicated solely to modern works of art. The auction was met with much excitement, as pieces by some of the innovative makers of the past and present crossed the block. On March 16 at 11 a.m. the second iteration of the sale, Traditional/Individual: Modern Native Art, will take place at the auction house’s Los Angeles salesroom.
Pauta Saila (Inuit, Kinngait/Cape Dorset, 1916-2009), six carved stoned bears. Estimates range from $3/5,000 to $20/40,000
Arriving to the market this time will be a selection of Native American pottery, paintings, jewelry and more that will be sure to captivate through modern designs and techniques that blend the traditional and contemporary. One of the standouts of the auction is a collection of Inuit art to benefit the Inuit Art Foundation in Toronto, Ontario.
“It’s about 30 pieces of Inuit stone sculpture. The highlights are the works by Pauta Saila that are carved stone bears,” says Ingmārs Lindbergs, Bonhams’ director of Native American art. “I’ve only had seen a couple of these before, but they’re fun because there’s such a range in size. That’s what he’s known for though, these dancing bears. We have one or two that are standing, including the largest one. They’re being sold as separate lots. The smallest one is $3,000 to $5,000 and the largest is $20,000 to $40,000 with some in-betweens.”
Victor Coochwytewa (Hopi, 1922-2011) and Lambert Homer Sr. (Zuni, 1917-1972), silver and turquoise concho belt. Estimate: $2/4,000
Also available in the sale will be Charles Loloma jewelry and strong examples by other artists such as a silver and turquoise concho belt made by Victor Coochwytewa and Lambert Homer Sr.
The belt, estimated to sell between $2,000 and $4,000, was the third prize winner at the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial in 1966. It comes from a collection in Virginia.
John Nieto’s painting Sioux Warrior, 1987, is also a standout in the sale. “He passed away in 2018 and was very well known for his use of color, but this piece almost seems a little subdued,” says Lindbergs. “His market has been on the rise since he passed.” It is expected to sell for $5,000 to $8,000.
John Nieto (Mescalero Apache, 1936-2018), Sioux Warrior, 1987, 72 x 60". Estimate: $5/8,000
“I think a lot of the people at the forefront of supporting these artists in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s are getting older and therefore downsizing, and estates are starting to come in with this contemporary material,” Lindbergs says. “It’s bringing in different clients and there’s a new wave of buyers, in particular for high-end jewelry.” —
March 16, 2020, 11 a.m.
Traditional/Individual: Modern Native American Art
Bonhams, 7601 W. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles,
CA 90046, (323) 850-7500, www.bonhams.com
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