This year, the Native Market sale at Santa Fe Art Auction will present close to 700 lots representing the gamut of Indigenous art, including pottery, jewelry, textiles, two-dimensional art forms and more. The sale takes place August 12 and 13, just before the anticipated Santa Fe Indian Market, making for a weeks-long celebration of Native American artists.
Ohkay Owingeh, Large Blackware Storage Jar, ca. 1890, fired clay, 19 in. Estimate: $10/15,000
Positioned in the center of the art capital of the Southwest, Santa Fe Art Auction further highlights the unique culture and creativity of the region, especially during the summer months.
“These markets are now world famous and draw an extraordinary number of collectors, dealers and artists to Santa Fe. While our online reach is global, there is nothing quite like the opportunity to see an artwork in person,” says Gillian Blitch, Santa Fe Art Auction president. “The auction is almost entirely secondary market material, but there are so many opportunities to see and bid on historic work, as well as the early work of a living artist.”
Merina (Pop Chalee) Lujan (Taos Pueblo, 1906-1993), Yellow Horse, gouache on paper, 131/8 x 181/8 in. Estimate: $1/2,000
Collectors can bid for a 135-year-old Ohkay Owingeh blackware storage jar (est. $10/15,000), as well as a women’s manta from around 1885 estimated at $4,000 to $6,000. More modern artworks will be available as well, including a sculptural horse cuff by Diné artist Clarence Lee, a storm pattern rug by Diné weaver Marie Tsosie, and a basketry plaque attributed to Sally Black and family created around 2000.
Women’s Manta, ca. 1885, handspun wool, natural dyes, 51¾ x 35¾ in. Estimate: $4/6,000
“We are particularly excited to offer a significant blackware storage jar from Ohkay Owingeh (San Juan) Pueblo, circa 1890. The overall size, shape, polishing and simplicity of this object is quintessential of Ohkay Owingeh pottery from this period. Large pottery storage jars such as this piece are exceedingly rare and were traditionally made for household use, giving us a glimpse into Native life before the turn of the 20th century,” says Blitch. “We will also have many beautiful gouaches on offer this August. There exists a rich history of stylized, narrative, figurative gouaches by Native American artists, and these works are highly collectible and always favorites at auction. We are privileged to offer a gouache by well-loved Taos Pueblo artist Merina (Pop Chalee) Lujan titled Yellow Horse. This is a wonderful example of the artist’s work, with graceful, detailed linework flowing throughout the composition.” The piece is expected to fetch between $1,000 and $2,000.
Clarence Lee (Diné (Navajo), 1952-2011), Sculptural Horse Cuff, sterling silver, carved fetish, turquoise with wood display case, 71/8 in. Estimate: $2/3,000
Other artists represented in the sale include Tony Abeyta, Maria Martinez, Nancy Youngblood, Lisa Holt, Harlan Reano, Lonnie Vigil, Carmelita Dunlap, Helen Hardin and Joy (Frog Woman) Navasie. —
August 12-13, 2025
Native Market
Santa Fe Art Auction
932 Railfan Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 954-5858, www.santafeartauction.com
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