On November 3, collectors of Native American and Southwest art enthusiastically responded to a single-owner auction at Hindman’s Denver showroom. The collection of Marilyn Eber, an important figure in the Denver art scene, was crafted over 50 years and built from her knowledge of the Native American art market. She was particularly drawn to beadwork and pottery and she also amassed standout doll and cradle offerings. The auction was expected to achieve more than $300,000 but it exceeded that easily when the total came in at $953,344.
Fritz Scholder (Luiseño, 1937-2005), Indian with Blue Aura, 1967, oil on canvas, 40 x 30" Estimate: $10/15,000 SOLD: $200,000
“We were ecstatic with the results of the Marilyn Eber sale,” says Danica Farnand, Hindman’s director of American Indian art. “We saw enthusiastic bidding across all categories, which shows not only what a spectacular collection it was, but that the market is alive and well. We saw over 300 people bidding on Hindman’s Digital Bidroom alone, with hundreds more participating online.”
Tony Da (San Ildefonso, 1940-2008), polychrome lidded jar with Kingman turquoise, 11 x 8" Estimate: $25/35,000 SOLD: $56,250
The sale’s top two lots of the day were stunning Fritz Scholder paintings that soared above estimates of $10,000 to $15,000 each. The top lot was Indian with Blue Aura at $200,000 and it captivated attention for its visual elements and provenance. “Painted in 1967, this is one of Scholder’s earlier works,” Farnand says. “The painting itself is a striking image with vibrant colors that is quintessential Scholder. Adding to the allure, the painting was exhibited at the Denver Art Museum in 2015-16, Super Indian: Fritz Scholder, 1967-1980.” The second-highest earner was Dancing Against Adobe at $68,750.
Among the pottery highlights were stunning works by the renowned Tony Da. Four of his items landed in the top 10 lots, with a polychrome lidded jar with Kingman turquoise (est. $25/35,000) more than doubling its low estimate when it sold for $56,250. A black and sienna lidded jar with turquoise cabochons was another standout that bested its estimate of $15,000 to $25,000 when it sold for $31,250.
Plateau beaded pictorial hide doll cradle with doll, late 19th century, 22 x 5" Estimate: $5/7,000 SOLD: $17,500
Kiowa beaded cradle with American flags, late 19th century, 45" Estimate: $30/50,000 SOLD: $28,125
Historic items in the auction were Plains and Southwestern material including a Kiowa beaded full-size cradle with American flats at $28,125; a Plateau beaded pictorial hide doll cradle with doll that sold for $17,5000; and a Navajo Hubble Revival Moki-style Germantown weaving/rug (est. $8/10,000) that achieved $11,875.
“The collection contained many pieces with pictorial elements, from Thomas Red Owl Haukaas courtship vignettes on a full-size cradle or Marcus Amerman’s ‘Buffalo Bill’ wallet, to the flat bags depicting Nez Perce women,” says Farnand. “The dolls and jewelry also played into the graphic arts. In total, when you look at this collection, there was a lot of depictions of life and the female perspective.” —
Top Ten lots
Hindman, Marilyn Eber Collection of Native American Art, November 3, 2021 (including buyer’s premiums)
ITEM LOW/HIGH est. SOLD
Indian with Blue Aura by Fritz Scholder $10/15,000 $200,000
Dancing Against Adobe by Fritz Scholder $10/15,000 $68,750
Border Crossing by Luis Jimenez $2/3,000 $68,750
Polychrome lidded jar with Kingman turquoise by Tony Da $25/35,000 $56,250
Black and sienna lidded jar with turquoise cabochons by Tony Da $15/25,000 $31,250
Kiowa beaded full-size cradle with American flags $30/50,000 $28,125
Redware lidded jar with turquoise cabochons by Tony Da $10/15,000 $28,125
Plateau beaded pictorial hide doll cradle with doll $5/7,000 $17,500
Navajo Hubble Revival Moki-style Germantown weaving/rug $8/10,000 $11,875
Carved redware lidded jar with turquoise and heishi beads by Tony Da $1,5/2,500 $11,250
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