On June 17, Heritage Auctions will present its Ethnographic Art: American Indian, Pre-Columbian and Tribal Art Signature sale, encompassing global items from Indigenous and non-Western cultures from the Americas, as well as Africa, Oceania and Southeast Asia.
Denise Wallace (Chugach/Sugpiaq) Alaskan Eskimo Belt, ca. 1995, silver, 14k gold, lapis lazuli, coral, sugilite, chrysoprase, bruno jasper, chrysocolla, lace agate, dinosaur bone, rhodochrosite and jet fossilized walrus ivory, 37¾ in. Estimate: $75/100,000
“Once again, we are presenting a well-rounded sale with lots and lots of Southwest jewelry, pottery, weavings, and baskets, Plains beadwork, Northwest Coast and Eskimo artworks,” says Delia Sullivan, Heritage’s vice president and director of ethnographic art.
One of its major annual sales, Heritage anticipates approximately 550 lots in total, with 300 Native American artworks among them, with particular strength in the jewelry and pottery categories.
Described by the auction house as “far and away, the most thrilling item in the sale” is the Woman of the World belt by Alaskan jewelry artist Denise Wallace (Chugach/Sugpiaq). The piece (est. $75/100,000) features 10 stunning figures with inlay, each depicting a different Native culture, and interspersed with moon faces and babies. Each figure is detachable and can be worn as a pendant.
A Large Acoma Polychrome Jar with Lug Handles, clay and paint, 17 in. Estimate. $5/7,000
Wilson Tawaquaptewa (1870-1960, Hopi), Hopi Katsina Doll, ca. 1949, cottonwood, pigments and fiber, 8½ in. Estimate: $3/5,000
“Denise Wallace is one of the most innovative jewelers working today,” says Sullivan. “Drawing on her Alaskan Native traditions, she creates transformations in the jewelry pieces. Three of the eight jewelry items we are offering are outfitted with at least one hinged ‘door’ revealing a different being when opened. A few of the arms on the belt swing open to reveal more detail in the female’s garment. These are playful pieces.”
The sale will feature seven other jewelry items by the artist as well as a necklace titled Story of Sedna (est. $5/7,000) by her daughter, Dawn Wallace.
Dawn Wallace (Aleut Alaskan), An Alaskan Eskimo Necklace, ca. 2004, silver, 14k gold, lapis, coral and fossilized walrus ivory, 15 in. Estimate: $5/7,000
Sonwai (Verma Nequatewa) (Hopi), A Hopi Cuff Bracelet, silver, gold and turquoise, 2 ¼ in. Estimate: $3/5,000
Other highlights include a painted Acoma polychrome jar with lug handles, noted for its impressive condition (est. $5/7,000); and a Hopi cuff bracelet (est. $3/5,000) by Sonwai (Verma Nequatewa), the niece of Charles Loloma. This sale also has gems for Katsina collectors, including an example by Wilson Tawaquaptewa (1870-1960), one of the earliest Hopi carvers known by name. The piece, also estimated at $3,000 to $5,000, is accompanied by a hand-written note that includes some history: “Carved by Chief Tewa, 1949, Old Oribe (sic), Third Mesa, Az. - Hopi.” —
June 17, 2026
Ethnographic Art: American Indian, Pre-Columbian and Tribal Art Signature Auction
Heritage Auctions 2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
(214) 528-3500, www.ha.com
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