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Santa Fe Art Auctions (SFAA) held their first Native Arts auction of 2025 on February 5-6, offering a diverse collection of Native American artworks from the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. The sale achieved a total of $450,000, with a sell-through rate exceeding 90 percent, as more than 400 of the nearly 450 lots found buyers. Gillian Blitch, the auction house’s leader, noted the strong interest from a wide range of buyers, including both seasoned collectors and emerging younger enthusiasts. The sale featured works across various media, including textiles, pottery, jewelry, and two-dimensional art, with a particular focus on historic Pueblo art and contemporary Native artists.
The top lot of the auction was an early Nineteenth Century Pueblo buffalo hide war shield, which sold for $24,600. This piece, described as a representation of Pueblo artistic and cultural traditions, drew intense bidding due to its excellent condition, historical significance, and provenance. It had been owned by Jesus Sito Candelario and his grandson, John S. Candelario, a notable figure in Santa Fe known for his work in cinematography, photography, and collecting Native American art. The shield was also featured in Barton Wright’s book Pueblo Shields from the Fred Harvey Fine Arts Collection and appeared in Arthur Gould’s 1955 film Indian Artists of the Southwest. Its rarity and untouched state, with traces of original paint but no recent repainting, made it highly desirable.
Another notable lot was a circa 1980 buffalo hide robe attributed to the Lakota Sioux, which fetched $8,610. This elaborate piece was decorated with beads, pigments, buffalo teeth and dewclaws, ermine, and abalone shell buttons. It had provenance to the Prairie Edge Trading Company & Galleries of Rapid City, South Dakota, and the Bing and Vickie Crosby collection, adding to its appeal.
The auction also highlighted two compelling depictions of Native Americans on horseback, created nearly a century apart. Edward Curtis’s iconic orotone photograph, “The Vanishing Race — Navajo,” sold for $8,320. The image, a poignant metaphor for Curtis’s belief in the disappearance of Native American cultures, exceeded expectations. On the second day, a 1993 painting by Earl Biss (Apsáalooke [Crow]), titled “A Peaceful Ride Along The Plateau,” achieved $15,990, setting a new world record for the artist at $200 per square inch. Both works came from a private collection in Colorado.
A circa 1910 Diné (Navajo) Yei pictorial rug from a New Mexico private collection stood out among the textiles, earning $6,150. This piece, made from wool dyed with natural and aniline dyes, more than quadrupled its low estimate, reflecting the enduring appeal of historic Navajo textiles.
In the pottery category, a circa 1960 San Ildefonso blackware pot by Maria Martinez and Popovi Da took the lead, selling for $4,800. This piece, featuring feather decoration, came from a private Colorado collection and exemplified the timeless artistry of these renowned Pueblo potters.
Native American jewelry also saw strong interest, with a Royston turquoise squash blossom necklace, attributed to the Diné (Navajo) people, bringing $7,380. This piece had provenance to the Gene Russell estate, further enhancing its desirability.
Overall, the auction underscored the growing market for Native American art, with historic pieces and contemporary works alike attracting significant attention. Collectors from around the world participated, driven by the cultural and artistic significance of the items offered. Blitch emphasized the emergence of new and younger collectors, as well as the continued appreciation for traditional methods and materials in Native art.
Santa Fe Art Auctions is set to continue their 2025 season with a sale of prints and works on paper on March 12-13. For more information, interested parties can visit www.santafeartauction.com or call 505-954-5858.
