A San Ildefonso etched redware jar by famed potter Tony Da took top lot honors Nov. 10 when it brought $32,500 in Heritage’s American Indian Art Signature® Auction. Bidders recognized the value in a trio of Sioux beaded hide objects and the work of several contemporary potters.
Delia Sullivan, American Indian Art Specialist at Heritage, said the auction recorded a 96% sell-through rate due to spirited bidding between new buyers.
“It’s thrilling to see numerous new buyers participate in another successful auction,” Sullivan said. “This was a diverse auction and truly offered something for every collector.”
A Sioux beaded hide bowcase and quiver and a Sioux beaded hide war shirt, circa 1900, each brought $20,000 while a Sioux pictographic hide shield, circa 1880, brought $18,750. A Western thule carved caribou bone quiver stiffner, circa 1880, sold for $11,250 and a handmade Micmac beaded hide cap, circa 1880, brought $7,500.
Night Watch, by Allan Houser, circa 1980, brought $9,062.50 to lead an impressive offering of contemporary American Indian works of art. Pottery collectors drove strong prices for a circa 1975 Santa Clara carved blackware jar, representing a remarkable collaboration between famed potters Mela Tafoya and Margaret Tafoya and Chief Foggy Bird, which sold for $6,875 while a circa 2000 Santa Clara carved buffware jar made by Nathan Youngblood sold for $6,875. A circa 1975 Santa Clara redware wedding vase by Margaret Tafoya sold for $5,468.75.
Additional highlights include but are not limited to:
A circa 1880 Navajo Moki Serape, which realized $8,750
A pair of Comanche woman’s beaded and fringed hide boot moccasins, circa 1900, brought $6,250
A circa 1900 Plains pipe tomahawk proved popular at $5,937
A circa 1900 Sioux beaded hide tobacco bag, which sold for $5,312.50
