Bonhams’ Native American art sale in Los Angeles, which took place December 16, sold more than 70 percent by value and 66 percent by lot, with total sales of $444,000. The auction brought a wide range of Native American art and artifacts to discerning collectors, including fine early Navajo weavings, a collection of katsina dolls and more. 
Northwest Coast Chilkat blanket. Estimate: $20/30,000 SOLD: $22,575
Navajo classic period second phase blanket. Estimate: $30/40,000 SOLD: $37,575“Overall, we were pleased with the results of the sale, which was on a smaller scale than usual. We anticipate continuing this trend of more focused and curated sales as we move to a quarterly cycle, alternating between modern and contemporary (March and early September) with antique and historic Native American auctions (June and late November) in 2020,” says Bonhams Native American art director Ingmārs Lindbergs. “The highlights from the December sale show that the market remains competitive for quality material, in particular items with a strong history or provenance. June 2020 is already shaping up with a focus on fresh-to-market historic Northwest Coast material, and we anticipate this to be a sale for serious collectors to look forward to.”
Plains painted muslin. Estimate: $20/40,000 SOLD: $50,075
The top lot in the December sale was a Plains painted muslin, which surpassed its $20,000 to $40,000 estimate when it sold for $50,075. Other highlights include a Navajo classic period second phase blanket that broke past its low estimate of $30,000 when it sold for $37,575; a Northwest Coast Chilkat blanket that sold for $22,575 (est. $20/30,000); an unusual Hopi katsina that was snatched up for $6,325 (est. $3/5,000) and a Cheyenne double-sided ledger drawing that more than doubled its high estimate of $5,000 when it sold for $11,950. —
Top Ten Sales
Bonhams, Native American Art, December 16, 2019 (including buyer’s premium)
Item Low/High Estimate SOLD
Plains painted muslin $20/40,000 $50,075
Navajo classic period second phase blanket $30/40,000 $37,575
Northwest Coast Chilkat blanket $20/30,000 $22,575
He Nupa Wanica (Joseph No Two Horns) painted hide shield cover $10/15,000 $21,325
Cheyenne double-sided ledger drawing $3/5,000 $11,950
Navajo late classic Moki-style sarape $4/6,000 $10,075
Navajo second phase chief’s style woman’s wearing blanket $5/7,000 $9,450
Navajo classic period wearing blanket $15/20,000 $9,450
Navajo Germantown Moki weaving $6/9,000 $8,825
An unusual Hopi katsina doll $3/5,000 $6,325
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