Significant Selections

Santa Fe Art Auction hosts a remarkable sale of classic to contemporary Native American art works.

For several days starting August 8, Santa Fe Art Auction will highlight some of the best in Native American arts for the upcoming American Indian: Classic to Contemporary sale. More than 500 lots in categories such as pottery, textiles, basketry, painting, woodcarving and jewelry are available for bidding. The lots span the early part of the 20th century to 21st-century work made by living artists.

Tony Da (San Ildefonso, 1940 - 2008), Etched Red Vase Estimate: $12,000/18,000

Beginning with the pottery portion of the sale, bidders will see the “classic” part of the sale with historic potters Maria Martinez, Margaret Tafoya and Tony Da, who has a top estimate of $12,000 to $18,000 for his Etched Red Vase. “This leads into our contemporary pottery [selection], such as the work of Richard and Jamie Zane Smith, Les Namingha, Susan Folwell, Tammy Garcia, Jason Ebelacker and Kathleen Wall,” explains Gillian Blitch, auction house president and CEO.

Blitch says that the sale yields “a fine group of early katsinam by Henry Shelton, complemented by many examples from more contemporary woodcarvers such as Wilson Kaye and Manfred Susunkewa.” An extraordinary katsina carving by Randy Brokeshoulder (Hopi), Owl Katsina, is estimated between $400 and $600 at auction.

Randy Brokeshoulder (Hopi), Owl Katsina, 141/8 x 85/8 x 41/8” Estimate $400/600

Also offered are Northwest Coast, Inuit/First Nations artwork, including lots by Osuitok Ipeelee, George Tataniq and Kiawak Ashoona. “Flat art from the hands of Pop Chalee, Geronima Cruz Montoya, Jean Bales as well as Harrison Begay, Awa Tsireh, Gilbert Atencio and Al Momaday appears, along with 21st-century stars including, Tony Abeyta, Wendy Red Star and Darren Vigil Gray,” says Blitch. This includes works like Dance Scene, from around the 1950s by Percy Sandy (1918-1974, Kai-Sa), estimated at $800 to $1,200.

Apache Basketry Tray, 19½ x 2¾” Estimate: $5,000/7,500

Attendees will find a “fine group of Navajo textiles, for which Santa Fe Art Auction has become renowned,” Blitch shares, “and the auction will feature an excellent group of baskets, [like an Apache Basketry Tray (est. $5/7,500)] and a broad selection of vintage to contemporary Native jewelry.”

“Also of special note are the number of lots being offered from the estate of Georgia and Charles Loloma, both remarkable collectors of many years who filled their home with historic and contemporary Native arts, many from the hands of colleagues, friends and students from the mesas of Arizona to the pueblos of New Mexico,” Blitch adds.

Percy Sandy (1918-1974, Kai-Sa), Dance Scene, ca. 1950s Estimate: $800/1,200

The rich, stunning collection of items in the American Indian: Classic to Contemporary sale will be up for grabs starting Tuesday, August 8, and will close on Friday, August 11. Santa Fe Art Auction will also present its Annual Signature Sale opening in November, “bringing to market the first selection of jewelry from the outstanding and comprehensive collection of former tennis star, Gene Russell,” says Blitch.

August 8-11, 2023
American Indian: Classic to Contemporary
932 Railfan Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 954-5858, www.santafeartauction.com