Native American offerings represent a significant 40 percent of the 750-lot sale with expanded selections of art, beadwork, weavings and artifacts.
Jaune Quick-Too-See Smith (Citizen of Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation), The Environment: Carry a Red Flag, mixed media, 29½ x 41½” Estimate: $20/30,000
Last year, show presenters Coeur d’Alene Galleries and Coeur d’Alene Art Auction saw collectors clamoring over Native American textiles, so this year March in Montana has increased its offerings of weavings to more than 80 pieces, including exceptional examples of early Navajo blankets and serapes.
“The weaving market has been on an upward trend for the last couple of years,” says March in Montana owner Ron Nicklas. “We have heard from some of our good consignors that they are getting harder and harder to find. Also, the demand for the large, high-quality weavings has increased with the demographics of the Western states.”
Navajo rug, ca. 1940s, woven from all native hand-shorn, hand-dyed, hand-carded and handspun Churro cross sheep wools on a wool warp, 9 x 16’ Estimate: $25,000-35,000
An equally impressive selection of Native American beadwork will be on full display, including rare pieces from the 19th century. Another highlight in the show and sale is a Crow shirt owned by Chief White Bull that was featured in a painting by Thomas Mails and published in his book The Mystic Warriors of the Plains. The shirt is anticipated to garner quite a bit of interest.
Last year, March in Montana broke the world record for works by Montana woodcarver John Louis Clarke (1881-1970) and the 2024 event will have an additional six works by the Blackfeet artist, most acquired by a Massachusetts collector directly from the Clarke family.
In recent years, March in Montana has featured a growing section of items dedicated to Native American visual artists past and present. The main attraction is an oil by Jaune Quick-to-See Smith (Citizen of Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation). “This is the first time we have offered a Quick-to-See Smith for sale,” says Nicklas. “In our opinion she is one of the most significant contemporary artists in all genres.” Also featured are several works by Assiniboine artist William Standing (1904-1951). The auction house broke a world record for the artist in 2020, and this year’s piece comes from the same collection in Standing’s hometown.
John L. Clarke (Blackfeet, 1881-1970), Bear Cub, wood, 4 x 4 x 1½", Estimate: $2/3,000
Also on offer are works by Spokane Tribe artist George Flett (1946-2013), Apache artist Allan Houser and many more.
While there are two online platforms where collectors can bid on the array of art and objects at March in Montana, Nicklas emphasizes there is nothing quite like experiencing the show and sale in person. “We are one of the only sales that has put the live crowd effect above all else,” he says. “It costs us much more to do the live event but we feel it’s important to the consignors. Especially with the weavings and beadwork, it is so much better for collectors to be able to see and touch the items.
William Standing (Assiniboine, 1904-1951), Cabin in Winter, oil on canvas, 19 x 30¾" Estimate: $4/6,000
“With our auctioneer Troy Black, our sale is a high-energy, fast-paced auction that is also entertaining and fun for collectors,” Nicklas adds. “Great Falls will be buzzing again this year as several events are going on in March.”
For a detailed schedule of events, visit www.marchinmontana.com.
March 14-16, 2024
March in Montana
Great Falls Elks Lodge #214, 500 First Avenue South,
Great Falls, Montana 59401 (208) 664-2091, www.marchinmontana.com
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