The Mesa Old West Show & Auction is returning to Mesa, Arizona, on January 20 through 22, and it will once again offer a variety of Western and Native American material in both an auction and a dealer show. Show owner Brian Lebel is excited to return to Mesa. “It’s always good to be back in Arizona,” he says.
Sioux beaded bow case and quiver, on antelope hide, with period arrows, ca. 1880s Estimate: $12/16,000
The auction portion of the annual event will feature more than 700 lots across two sessions on January 20 and 21. The sales, both of which start at 5 p.m., will include almost every category of Native American art, from jewelry and pottery to beadwork, quillwork, weavings, sculpture and much more. Lots will include works from living artists, but also historic artwork and objects from the 19th century. The sale also features Western and cowboy material.
Woodlands or Cree beaded men’s jacket on hide, ca. late-19th century, includes period accessories Estimate: $3,500/5,500
Several noteworthy lots relate to objects meant to hold weapons, including quivers, scabbards and sheaths. One major highlight in this category is an 1880s Sioux beaded bow case and quiver made from antelope hide. The lot, which comes with arrows from the same period, has beaded portions done in blue, orange and green beads. The estimate on the item is $12,000 to $16,000. A Northern Plains early beaded rifle scabbard with dramatic 22-inch-long fringe will also be available with estimates of $4,000 to $5,000. A similar piece is a Plains beaded and fringed rifle scabbard (est. $2,500/3,500) with incredible beadwork on the tapered ends. Finally, the sale will also have a Sioux beaded hide sheath (est. $800/1,200) with decorated tin cones and worn slab-handle skinner blade.
Gibson Nez (Jicarilla Apache/Navajo), silver and coral necklace, 12”; pendant, 2½ x 2”. 60th Santa Fe Indian Market award winner. Estimate: $2,500/3,500
Two pipe bags will be offered: a Northern Plains beaded and fringed pipe bag (est. $1,200/1,800) and a beaded and quilled pipe bag (est. $1,500/2,000) attributed to Chief Ahpeahtone, the last federally recognized chief of the Kiowa.
Northern Plains early beaded rifle scabbard, 39” long with 22” fringe Estimate: $4/5,000
Two clothing items will be offered. One of them is a Woodlands or Cree beaded men’s jacket on hide (est. $3,500/5,500) from the late 19th century. The jacket has magnificent beadwork up the front and embellished pockets. The second clothing item is an early-1900s Sioux beaded vest on hide with cotton liner. It is expected to sell between $1,500 and $2,500.
A pair of silver lots should entice jewelry fans, as well as collectors of Western gear. On offer is a pair of Navajo-made turquoise mounted spurs (est. $2/3,000) with silver setting and Liberty quarters, and a silver and coral necklace (est. $2,500/3,500) by jewelry artist Gibson Nez, who won an award for the necklace at the 60th annual Santa Fe Indian Market.
Sioux beaded hidesheath with decorated tin cones and worn slab-handle skinner blade, 12” overall Estimate: $800/1,200
Pair of Navajo-made, turquoise-mounted spurs, with silver setting and Liberty quarters Estimate: $2/3,000
In addition to the popular sale, Lebel’s annual event also features a dealer show. This year he is expecting more than 150 national dealers of Western art, antiques, apparel, décor, jewelry, collectibles, antique firearms, Native American arts and artifacts, spurs, saddles, photography, textiles, boots, books and other fine Western material in all price ranges. Show vendors that specialize in Native American arts include contemporary Native jewelry artist Melody Sauceda, Navajo weavings from Toadlena Trading Post, fine basketry from Terry DeWald American Indian Art, pueblo artifacts and jewelry from Territorial Indian Arts & Antiques and many other fine dealers in Native American arts and artifacts from around the Southwest and the United States.
Sioux beaded vest on hide with cotton liner, ca. early 1900s, 24 x 21” Estimate: $1,500/2,500
The show portion of the event will take place January 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and January 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For collectors who want a sneak peek and an early opportunity to purchase material, the event offers early buy-in tickets for January 20.
Northern Plains beaded and fringed pipe bag, 9¼ x 7½” without fringe Estimate: $1,200/1,800
This year’s show will take place entirely at the Mesa Convention Center in Mesa, Arizona.
January 20-22, 2023
Brian Lebel’s Mesa Old West Show & Auction
Mesa Convention Center 263 N. Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201
(480) 779-9378, www.oldwestevents.com
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