Top lots will include a Mandan warshirt set, a Germantown rug and a Woodlands cradleboard.
(MESA, Ariz.) – A full-sized smoked moose hide and rawhide Woodlands cradleboard (Native American baby carrier), a Mandan warshirt set complete with painted hide warshirt with quilled strips and shields, and an extra-fine Navajo Germantown weave rug done in the Hispanic influence will be just a few of the lots at Allard Auctions’ Big Fall Phoenix Auction, Nov. 9-10.
The event will be held at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Mesa, Ariz., just outside of Phoenix. Allard Auctions, Inc. (based in St. Ignatius, Mont.) is billing it as a sale with American Indian artifacts, art and related collectibles, and indeed the auction will be packed with great beadwork and baskets, Native American and Western art and bronzes, drums and bits and spurs.
“This will be a well-rounded auction, with many diverse items that will appeal to a wide range of collectors,” said Steve Allard of Allard Auctions, Inc. “Naturally we’ll have many American Indian artifacts and art, as those are the foundation of our business, but we’ll also have many interesting items and Western lots, too. The market is strong and we expect a strong sale.”
In all, around 900 lots will come up for bid. For those unable to attend in person, online bidding will be provided by iCollector.com and Artfact.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted. Bidders may view the full catalog at the Allard Auctions website by logging on to www.allardauctions.com. Absentee bids maybe left on the site until an hour before the auction.
The full-sized Woodlands cradleboard (with attached baby moccasins) carries a pre-sale estimate of $10,000-$20,000. It could very well end up being the top lot of the auction. The body is covered with turtle, spider and lizard figures, spirit wheels and other mystic symbols. It is from a private Wisconsin collection, and was probably crafted sometime in the early-to-mid 1900s.
Allard Auctions is no stranger to desirable Native American cradleboards. At its Best of Santa Fe 2013 auction in early August, the firm sold a museum-quality, early 20th century Kiowa cradleboard with beaded accents and original boards for a staggering $103,500. It was consigned by a man in his 90s, who remembered playing with the cradleboard as a toy back in the 1920s.
There are two Mandan warshirt sets in the sale that will no doubt attract attention, but the more complete set of the two – with human hair suspensions and short fringe, plus matching leggings with warrior stripes, moccasins with keyhole design, red breechcloth and an old belt – should realize $7,500-$15,000. The other set, also quite handsome, should hit $4,000-$8,000.
Several Navajo rugs are bound to spark bidding wars, but the expected prize lot is the Germantown weave rug done in the Hispanic style (est. $7,500-$15,000). The colors are still vibrant in most areas and the rug is strong and intact. Overall, it is in very good condition, with just some routine wear for its age (circa 1900). The weave rug measures 82 inches by 57 inches.
Two other Navajo rugs worth noting include a huge Burntwater rug with elaborate design in a deep red, in fine condition with fantastic color, made circa 1980 and measuring 104 inches by 73 inches (est. $3,500-$7.000); and a Vi Fowler example with an extra fine weave in a natural dye storm pattern with nice rich colors, circa 1990s, 75 inches by 51 inches (est. $2,500-$5,000).
A pair of beaded vests carries identical estimates of $2,500-$5,000. One is a classic Sioux sinew sewn and lazy stitch beaded man’s vest with interesting geometric designs on the front and back and with a fine fringe, made circa 1920s. The other is a finely tailored Santee buckskin vest with fancy lapels and beautiful beaded stars, flags and florals on the back, from the early 1900s.
Two other dissimilar lots are also expected to hit $2,500-$5,000. The first is a collection of about 45 vintage Zuni and Navajo items (mostly pins), all in good condition and attached to a Chimayo vest, circa 1930-1970. The second is a Donovan Skeet Navajo necklace set, featuring a hand-wrought all-silver necklace, bracelet and earrings set with matching blue turquoise stones.
Rounding out a brief list of the auction’s expected top lots is a statuesque fine weave Apache basket (or olla) covered with humanoid and animal figures, in very good condition, circa early 1900s (est. $2,000-$4,000). The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites are located at 1600 South Country Club Drive in Mesa, Ariz. Previews will be held on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 8 a.m. until the start of sale (12 noon, Mountain time) and Sunday, Nov. 10, until the start of sale (10 a.m.)
Allard Auctions, Inc., has been selling exclusively American Indian artifacts and art at auction since 1968. The firm is always accepting quality merchandise for future auctions. To inquire about consigning a single piece, an estate or an entire collection, you may call them at (406) 745-0500 or (888) 314-0343; or, you can send them an e-mail at [email protected].
To learn more about Allard Auctions, Inc., and the upcoming Big Fall Phoenix Auction scheduled for Nov. 9-10, please log on to www.allardauctions.com. Allard Auctions, Inc., maintains its home offices on the Flathead Indian Reservation in St. Ignatius, Montana.
