On March 15, John Moran Auctioneers presented 300 lots from the James M. Cole Collection of American Indian Art to an enthusiastic audience of collectors that resulted in a 100 perecent sell-through.
While there was a variety of Native American objects, art and artifacts represented, the primary focus of the sale was Cole’s extensive collection of Native American baskets, mainly from California and the Southwest.
Polychrome California Mission Rattlesnake Basket, ca. 1900-1925, 4 x 17¼" Estimate: $5/7,000 SOLD: $29,250
Polychrome Washoe Beaded and Lidded Basket, ca. 1950, Northern California/Nevada, 4¼ x 5" Estimate: $3/500 SOLD: $2,812
Many of the 150 basketry lots came out with finishing prices well above original estimates, but the star of the show was a Polychrome California Mission Rattlesnake Basket. Masterfully woven into a striking composition of a coiled rattlesnake, the stand-out piece ratcheted bidders up to the final strike at $29,250. Several other California Mission baskets soared above their estimated values—one piece was estimated at $400 to $600, and left the floor at $12,500.
Blackware Santa Clara Pottery Olla, ca. 1875-1900, 11 x 14” Estimate: $6/800 SOLD: $8,450
Polychrome Hopi Second Mesa Wicker Plaque, ca. 1900-1925, Southwest, 1¼ x 16” Estimate: $3/500 SOLD: $1,875Baskets from other regions of California also caught the eye of collectors, including a Mono Lake Paiute basket (est. $6/8,000) by Emma Murphy. Featuring insect and frog imagery, it secured a home for $11,875, nearly double its estimated worth.
The basket offerings ranged in size and style and included colorful beaded works and others with lids.
The pottery offerings were another favorite of the sale, most notably a large, elegant, hand-coiled blackware Santa Clara pottery olla from the late 19th century, which brought bidders up to a final sale of $8,450.
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