The Ethnographic Art Department at Heritage Auctions encompasses non-Western art from the Americas, Africa and Oceania, and on June 13 will showcase roughly 500 lots across all categories in a live sale, Ethnographic Art: American Indian, Pre-Columbian and Tribal Art Signature Auction.
Mrs. Dick Francisco (Bancalache Yokuts, 1857-1953), A Yokuts Polychrome Pictorial Coiled Basket, ca. 1905, sedge, bracken fern root and redbud, 13” Estimate: $30/50,000
The Native American offerings span Anasazi pottery from 2,000 years ago to contemporary jewelry made within the last 10 years.
“We have a wide variety of material from every area of North America,” says Delia Sullivan, director of Ethnographic Art at Heritage Auctions. “The sale is particularly strong in jewelry with over 90 lots from the Southwest including examples by Charles Loloma and his niece, Sonwai. Three lots of jewelry are from Alaskan native Denise Wallace, a notable jeweler who works ‘transformations’ into her creations.”
Charles Loloma (Hopi, 1921-1991), A Hopi Bracelet, ca. 1980, silver, turquoise, coral, serpentine, lapis lazuli, ironwood, 3” (Estimate: $15/25,000
A Navajo Germantown Weaving, ca. 1890, commercial Germantown wool yarn and aniline dyes, 72 x 47” Estimate: $5/7,000
Another highlight in the sale is a Yokuts polychrome pictorial coiled basket by Mrs. Dick Francisco (Bancalache Yokuts, 1857-1953) from around 1905. The artist is widely celebrated for her intricately woven baskets, not only for their fine quality but also for designs that incorporate rich cultural symbolism and storytelling. Francisco’s piece can be found in many presitgious museums and collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The example in this sale is expected to achieve at least $30,000.
Also of note are more than a dozen Navajo Germantown weavings, one of which measures 72 by 47 inches and has been valued at $5,000 to $7,000. “As Germantown weavings go, this is an especially beautiful one,” says Sullivan. “Furthermore, it has retained its magnificent, vibrant colors.” A Classic Second Phase Man’s Wearing Blanket is also expected to do well in the weaving category.
A Pair of Sioux Beaded Hide Moccasins, ca. 1875, hide, buffalo hide, glass seed beads, metal cones and sinew, 9¼” Estimate: $1,200/1,800
Mike Perez (White Buffalo) (Comanche), A Southwest Etched Silver Vase, ca. 1991, silver and turquoise, 6½” Estimate: $3/5,000
In the are of pottery, bidders will find a number of lots from the Allan and Carol Hayes Collection, most of which appear in the 1996 book Southwestern Pottery: Anasazi to Zuni by Allan Hayes and John Bloom. Plains beadwork, predominantly Cheyenne examples from the Bill Boyd collection will also be on offer. The Boyd collection also includes a pair of Sioux beaded hide moccasins , circa 1875, with a high estimate of $1,800.
“Most of the moccasins in this sale are beautifully decorated with colorful glass beads,” says Sullivan. “The variety of materials used to make the moccasins can make one pair more valuable than another. For example, moccasins made of buffalo hide will generally sell for more money than those made of deer hide.”
Pre-Columbian gold, jade and ceramic artworks round out the sale. —
June 13, 2025
Ethnographic Art: American Indian, Pre-Columbian and Tribal Art Signature Auction
Heritage Auctions 2801 W. Airport Freeway, Dallas, TX 75261
(214) 409-1343, www.ha.com
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