Los Angeles, CA— On Tuesday, March 12th, 2024, John Moran Auctioneers presented their first Art of the American West sale of the year. Including over 380 lots, this auction featured an exciting and robust offering of fine and decorative art for a wide range of aesthetics from historic to contemporary. Collectors turned out for the variety of Navajo textiles and the 160+ lots of Navajo and Pueblo jewelry and belts that included pieces by Clarence Lee, Federico Jimenez, Danny Romero, Gary Reeves, and Frank Patania. Noteworthy fine art included examples by Ralph Love and Ken Payne.
Lot 283: A Clarence Lee Sterling Silver ‘Storyteller’ Necklace $9,240
Leading the sale was lot 12, a Navajo Second Phase Chief’s Blanket from the late 19th/early 20th century. Leaving the block for $11,880*, this textile was designed with alternating bands of cream and dark brown wool with blue banding and green crosses. Other standout textiles included lot 18, a JB Moore Navajo textile, selling for $8,890*, and lot 16, a Navajo Late Classic Banded blanket earning a winning bid of $5,940*.
Lot 55: A California Basketry Bowl $2,286
Having over 160 lots, the impressive selection of jewelry garnered a lot of attention! Highlighting this category was lot 283, a Clarence Lee sterling silver ‘Storyteller’ necklace that tripled its high estimate, bringing in $9,240*. Then, a gorgeous 5-piece, turquoise Rainbow Dancer jewelry set by Federico Jimenez, lot 298, sold for $5,397*. Other notable designers featured in this auction were Jeff Tsalabutie, Julian Lovato, Lewis Lomay, and Art Tafoya.
Along with jewelry, collectors tuned in for the 30 lots of belts and belt accessories. The top lot of the group was a Danny Romero mosaic inlay portrait belt buckle, lot 220, selling for $6,350*. Other great belt results included a Gary Reeves Navajo sterling silver and set coral Concho belt, lot 263, earning $6,270*, and a Frank Patania sterling silver and turquoise Concho belt, lot 254, sold for $5,397*.
For fine art, lot 168, Ralph Love’s “White Mountains” brought in $6,985*, and a bronze by Ken Payne, lot 155 titled, “Other Side Of The Blue Mountains,” 1994, sold for $4,950*.
Rounding out this sale’s highlights were a blackware pottery vase by Maria Martinez and Popovi Da from the San Ildefonso Pueblo, lot 114, selling for $3,810*, and lot 55, a California Basketry bowl from the late 19th century featuring “coyote tracks” motifs, earning $2,286*.
*- includes buyer’s premium.
— Brenda Smith, John Moran Auctioneers

Lot 12: A Navajo Second Phase Chief’s Blanket $11,880
“Leaving the block for $11,880*, this textile was designed with alternating bands of cream and dark brown wool with blue banding and green crosses.”
Upcoming Auctions
John Moran Auctioneers is continuing their 2024 lineup with Latin American Art + Design sale, Tuesday, April 23rd, followed by California & American Fine Art auction, Tuesday, May 7th, 2024. Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming auctions so you don’t miss out on the action, and the treasures!
Latin American Art + Design: Tuesday, April 23rd | 10:00 am PDT
California and American Fine Art: Tuesday, May 7th | 12:00 pm PDT
Jewelry & Watches: Tuesday, May 21st | 10:00 am PDT
Art of the American West: Tuesday, June 4th | 12:00 pm PDT
Modern & Contemporary Fine Art: Tuesday, June 11th | 12:00 pm PDT
ReDesigned: Tuesday, June 25th | 10:00 am PDT
Traditional Collector: Tuesday, July 30th | 12:00 pm PDT
For upcoming highlights, online catalogues, and more information on these sales, visit Moran’s website: www.johnmoran.com and follow us on social media: @johnmoran_auctioneers. Along with our website, bidding is now available online via Moran’s new mobile app, Moran Mobile, available on both iOS and Android operating systems. You may also choose to bid by phone or absentee.
Consignments are always welcome:
Email us at [email protected] today!