The Sunday Edit: Native American Art
20th c. Randy Stiglitz Carved Mask
For this week’s edition, we are honoring Native American History Month by featuring traditional textiles, regional pottery, carvings and beadwork and last but not least, the celebrated turquoise stone.
In 1990, President George H. W. Bush declared November as Native American Heritage Month. This commemorative month aims to provide a platform for Native people in the United States to share their culture, traditions, music, crafts, dance, and ways and concepts of life. This landmark bill gives Native people the opportunity to celebrate their community while creating awareness regarding Native American history, rights, culture and contemporary issues.
Navajo Weavings
A Navajo Chief’s-style Wearing Blanket, circa 1865-75, 65 X 53 inches sold at auction last year for $31,000, but you can find e. 20th c. examples for 1/10th of that. Last month, one sold for $88,000 because it was reported to have been presented to a Yakima chief by Sitting Bull!
A Navajo Late Classic Second Phase Chief's Blanket/Bonham’s, LA, 22 Nov 2021, Lot 138.
Santa Clara Pueblo Pottery
Did you know that the black color is created during firing when the pots are put into a grate or metal container and topped with wood and dried manure? When the fuel is lit, it collapses and smothers the pots, reducing oxygenation. Although Maria Martinez is the most well-known potter of this genre, this circa 1970 boldly carved jar, made by Dominique Naranjo, was available for about $600. It’s a mere 3½ X 4½ inches.
A similarly sized petite vessel sold via auction in January 2019 for $3,000.
Tlingit Carvings
This e.20th c. Tlingit (Alaska/Canada) six-figured polychrome totem didn’t sell for 6 figures (like the one pictured below). At a manageably decorative 47 ½ inches tall, it hammered down for $18,000 earlier this year at Hindman, Chicago. There’s no shortage of smaller polychromed Tlingit carvings, so you might find one like the 20th c. Randy Stiglitz-carved mask (pictured at the top of this email) which sold for $900 in 2019 at auction. His work is in many notable collections including Bill Gates Microsoft Collection.
Early 20th c. Tlingit (Alaska/Canada) Six-figured Polychrome Totem
Lenape Beadwork
The Delaware/Lenape Tribe were well known for their beadwork. A couple hundred years ago, they were chased west from (not only) NJ to Oklahoma and Kansas.
Beaded Scarf and Purse by Lenape Tribe/DelawareTribe.org
Turquoise Jewelry
Navajo, Zuni, Pueblo and Hopi Tribes consider turquoise to be the happiest stone. Paired with sterling silver, it’s found in rings, earrings, bolo ties, belt buckles, or a squash blossom necklaces. From New Mexico mines, turquoise became the color of the now unmistakable Tiffany Blue box. How cool are these 1960s Schlumberger for Tiffany Lapis and Turquoise cuff links? A dealer on 1stDibs was asking $6500 and reports these are SOLD.
1960s Schlumberger for Tiffany Lapis & Turquoise Cuff Links
-Authored by Lynn Magnusson, President + Heather Zises, Marketing Director
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