November 9, 2023 | Heritage Auctions | Dallas, TX

Notable Artifacts

Navajo weavings and Acoma pottery are expected to garner attention during Heritage Auction’s fall sale.

Heritage Auctions’ Ethnographic Art American Indian, Pre-Columbian and Tribal Art Signature Auction will bring an array of treasures to the market this fall, including an impressive selection of Navajo weavings, a beautiful Sioux girl’s beaded hide dress, as well as numerous Hopi, Acoma, Zuni and San Ildefonso polychrome bowls—and that’s only naming a few. The November 9 sale is expected to have nearly 400 lots on offer. Bidding opens on October 19.

Late Classic Navajo Woman’s Wearing Blanket, ca. 1875 Estimate: $15/25,000

Acoma Polychrome Jar, ca. 1890 Estimate: $7/10,000

“I have big beautiful historic pots as well jewelry ranging from the turn of the century to contemporary times, [both] silver and gold,” says Delia E. Sullivan, Heritage Auctions’ director of ethnographic art. “Collectors of weavings will be impressed by the number of classic and late classic Navajo weavings in the sale. We have chief’s blankets, serapes and women’s wearing blankets.”

Sullivan cites a diamond-patterned Navajo woman’s wearing blanket, expected to have been created around 1875, as a highlight in the sale to keep an eye out for. “This is a beautiful, well-balanced Navajo woman’s wearing blanket. The colors are soft but still rich. The maker added a ticked band throughout the elements, creating dimension.” This particular weaving is expected to fetch between $15,000 and $25,000.

Margaret Tafoya (Santa Clara Pueblo, 1904-2001), Large Santa Clara Carved Blackware Jar, clay, paint, 13¼”, signed on bottom: ‘Margaret Tafoya’. Estimate: $6/8,000

Another lot collectors should keep in their sights is a 19th-century Acoma jar, pictured here, which has a presale estimate of $7,000 to $10,000. “The design on the Acoma jar, circa 1890, is intricate and captivating. I love the painted flourishes. It’s in very good condition for its age,” says Sullivan.

Navajo Third Phase Chief’s Style Weaving, native handspun wool, aniline dyes, 80 x 61” Estimate: $2.5/3,500

Among other highlights in the upcoming auction are a large Santa Clara carved blackware jar by Margaret Tafoya, estimated at $6,000 to $8,000; a Navajo Third Phase Chief’s Style weaving with native handspun wool, estimated at $2,500 to $3,500; a Navajo Yei rug, also with native handspun wool and estimated to sell for $2,500 to $3,500; as well as a large Acoma polychrome jar (est. $2/3,000). The live auction takes place November 9.

November 9, 2023
Ethnographic Art American Indian, Pre-Columbian and Tribal Art Signature Auction
Heritage Auctions 2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
(877)437-4824, www.ha.com