1. Buffalo Barry’s Indian Art
Now available at Buffalo Barry’s Indian Art is an exceptional carving by Hopi artist Wilson Tawaquaptewa. Owner Barry Walsh has specialized in Tawaquaptewa for more than three decades. “Tawaquaptewa was unique in the history of Hopi carving because he never made an accurate representation of a Katsina. As Kikmongwi or ceremonial chief of the ancient village of Orayvi, he believed that accurate depictions of Katsinam should not be commercialized and sold. As a result, he either ‘made up’ or ‘mixed up’ all his creations in order to be faithful to his convictions,” Walsh notes about the work that likely comes from the 1930s or 1940s. “The cottonwood figure has a very distinctive appearance with bold vertical stripes on the face and beak. It is also quite large at 12-inches tall and 5-inches wide. It has yarn attached to the sides of the head and an animal pelt of some type around the neck. This carving is an example of his ‘made-up’ type as it in no way represents an actual Hopi katsina. Tawaquaptewa made scores of such carvings from the 1920s until his death. He would offer tours of Orayvi culminating with a stop at his home where he would sell such items to eager tourists for a few dollars.”
(508) 631-2703 • buffalobarry@charter.net • www.buffalobarry.com
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2. C & D Gifts Native American Art
This incredible Hopi pot by Elva Nampeyo is now available at C & D Gifts Native American Art. “Historic piece! There are no cracks or chips. It has a migration pattern painted around the perimeter. A collector’s piece for sure,” the gallery explains. “Elva is the daughter of Fannie Nampeyo and the granddaughter of Nampeyo of Hano. She was the sister of Tonita and Iris Nampeyo and Thomas Polacca. She passed away in 1985. Her daughters Adelle, Miriam and Eva carry on the pottery tradition as well as her son Elton.”
(505) 238-9888 • www.canddgiftsnm.com
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3. Inga Art Gallery
Inga Art Gallery is offering this vintage bentwood box made in red cedar and measuring nearly 14-inches tall. “Bentwood boxes were the principal furniture of northern Northwest Coast homes,” says Tanya Inga, owner of the gallery. “Many were plain, some were painted. They were used for containers for food, water, seats, shelves, cupboards and treasure chests. Bent-corner boxes were made of one long plank, kerfed at three points and bent by steaming into a box form. Many of these beautiful boxes are found in museum’s all over the world.”
326 Center Avenue, Suite 204, Kodiak, AK • (907) 486-4404 • www.ingaartgallery.com
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4. Western Trading Post
Arizona-based art and antiques gallery Western Trading Post recently acquired this impressive Zuni inlay bolo and belt buckle set by John Lucio. “Both the buckle and the slide feature the same stunning eagle dancer design with inlay of turquoise, coral mother of pearl and onyx,” says owner Bobbi Jeen Olson. “The inlay is accented by phenomenal silverwork of twisted wire and dots that have exquisitely done hand-stamped designs. The matching buckle has small snake figures going toward the eagle. The slide sits on a great black, braided leather cord, with sterling silver tips. John Lucio (Zuni, 1919-1984) was active in the 1930s through 1980s, and started his jewelry craft in the early 1950s as an apprentice to several of the older masters in Zuni. He soon became a master of the art with his work being very collectable.”
403 N. Florence Street, Casa Grande, AZ 85122 • (520) 426-7702 • www.westerntradingpost.com
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5. Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery
Based in Tucson, Arizona, Medicine Man Gallery specializes in all kinds of Native American artwork, including jewelry, pottery, basketry and paintings. Owner Mark Sublette has a special interest in weavings, and it’s reflected in his inventory. One piece he has available is this 1890s Germantown Eyedazzler. “Specializing in Navajo weavings, I’m always looking for exceptional, best-of-kind textiles for my gallery,” says Sublette. “This 1890s Navajo blanket woven from four-ply Germantown yarn is a prime example of creative genius applied to wool. The vibrant interplay of unique color combinations in an Eyedazzler design would rank this unknown Navajo as a master weaver.”
6872 E. Sunrise Drive, Suite 130, Tucson, AZ 85750 • (520) 722-7798 • www.medicinemangallery.com
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6. Mudhead Gallery
The work of Mark Chee (1914-1981) is highly collectible and rare to the market. Mudhead Gallery in Denver has a stunning Chee squash blossom necklace with Bisbee turquoise. Purchased from a private collection, the necklace is signed “CHEE” within a bird design and weighs 216 grams—“Nice quality weight but not too heavy for wear-ability,” the gallery notes. It measures 15½-inches end to end, while clasped and features a total of 14 stones. The gallery also notes that the piece is of “museum quality.”
1720 Wazee Street, Suite 1B, Denver, CO 80202 (303) 293-0007 • www.mudheadgallery.com • mudhead@qwestoffice.net
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7. Jack’s Antiques
A very unique doll made by Tohono O’odham basket weaver Chepa Franco (1901-1980) is now on view at Jack’s Antiques in Flagstaff, Arizona. The work was handmade in 1960s or 1970s. “She used saguaro ribs and cholla wood. She also incorporated snips of her own hair and swatches from her own clothes to dress the doll,” the gallery notes. “Chepa took up doll carving after her husband Domingo passed.”
4650 N. US Highway 89, Suite G014 (inside Flagstaff Mall), Flagstaff, AZ 86004 • (928) 526-0696 • www.jacksantique.com • jack@jacksantique.com
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