On November 7 and 8, Hindman hosted its fall Arts of the American West auction to much fanfare as interest in contemporary and historic Native American art and Western paintings and sculpture drove the sales total to more than $1.5 million. “We are thrilled with the results of the sale,” says Katherine Hlavin, the auction house’s Director of Business Development, West. “Active bidding in the room, over the phone and online drove strong results, setting a record sale total for the Arts of the American West department.”
Allan Houser (Chiricahua Apache, 1914-1994), He Will Be Home Soon, 1983, bronze, ed. 4 of 6, 59 x 17 x 15". Estimate: $30/50,000 SOLD: $57,500
While the Western segment of the sale reigned supreme with Bob Kuhn’s High Plains Lothario (est. $70/90,000) becoming the top lot at $68,750, the Native American portion of the auction couldn’t be missed. The session exceeded presale estimates, with solid prices for a number of examples. Leading the group was the third highest earner of the sale—Allan Houser’s bronze He Will Be Home Soon, edition number 4 of 6, sold from the estate of Lucia von Borosini Batten to benefit the Albuquerque Museum Foundation. The work sold above its high estimate of $50,000 when it achieved $57,500.
Kiowa child’s beaded cradle, fourth quarter 19th century, beaded on velveteen with hide fringe coated in yellow pigment and mounted to wood boards decorated with brass tacks, 44 x 14". Estimate: $40/60,000 SOLD: $56,250
Also in the top 10 lots of the sale were a Kiowa child’s beaded cradle that sold for $56,250; the sandpainting weaving Corn With Holy People, from the Nightway Chant, by Mrs. Sam (Gladys) Manuelito at $55,000; a Cheyenne River Sioux child’s beaded buffalo hide vest at $33,750; a Sioux beaded hide dress, tripling its high estimate at $30,000; and Fritz Scholder’s New Mexico #41 at $27,500. Also notable was a Western Apache figural olla that realized $21,760 to best an estimate of $5,000 to $7,000.
Sioux beaded hide dress, fourth quarter 19th century, sinew-sewn softly tanned hide with yoke beaded using colors red white-heart, light blue, cobalt, greasy yellow and pea green and fringe falling from sleeves and along hem, 48 x 30". Estimate: $10/12,000 SOLD: $30,000
Cheyenne River Sioux child’s beaded buffalo hide vest, fourth quarter 19th century, thread and sinew-sewn, trimmed with brass beads and dew claw recycled from Grass Dance bandolier, 16 x 24". Estimate: $20/30,000 SOLD: $33,750
“The Hindman sandpainting weaving Corn with Holy People attributed to Mrs. Sam Manuelito (Diné, 1893-1987) from the November 7 to 8, 2019, sale is very exciting and an important textile,” says Maron Hindman, vice president of the southwest region at Hindman. “The buyer is extremely happy with his purchase and will be placing it in a private museum that he will be building in the near future. Prior to the museum opening, the textile will be featured at an exhibition at the historic Toadlena Trading Post, opening in June of 2020, that will feature other textiles by the Klah family as well as other weavers that illustrated Woven Holy People.” —
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