Los Angeles, CA— CA — On September 10th, 2024, Moran’s presented an extra robust Art of the American West sale, filled with nearly 500 lots. The auction included highly sought after fine art such as works by Oscar Howe, Maynard Dixon, Lew Davis, Clyde Forsythe, Awa (Alfonso Roybal) Tsireh, Robert Wesley Amick, Joel Ostlind, and Dan Namingha. Exceptional sculpture by Gib Singleton, Doug Hyde, and Sherry Salari Sander brought in strong results. Collectors turned out for the 150+ lots of traditional and contemporary Navajo and Pueblo silver jewelry and belts, especially for pieces by Nila Cook, Juan Abeyta, Randall Joe Tom, Leonard Gene, and James Urban Brady. In the impressive selection of Navajo blankets, rugs, and textiles, a couple of Diné Germantown examples and an Etta Peacock work stood out among the rest. Stunning Tlingit, California and Southwest baskets performed well, along with an impressive collection of Northwest Coast carved cedar masks. Furniture highlights included wood pieces by Roycroft. 

Lot 99: Gib Singleton (1935-2014)

Lot 99: Gib Singleton (1935-2014) "Companeros" $13,200

Leading the sale was Oscar Howe’s “Grass Dancer (Pezhin wachipi),” 1959, lot 69. Howe (1915-1983) was a renowned Native American artist best known for his innovative and expressive depictions of traditional Dakota culture and mythology. It’s not the first time Moran’s has offered works by Howe. Last summer they auctioned, “Camte Waste, No No Wa” (“Good Heart Forever”) which achieved the new world-auction record for the artist at $325,000*, crushing his previous auction record of $58,000* (achieved back in 2020). For this sale, “Grass Dancer” brought in a final bid of $114,300*, showing that collectors are continuing to covet this Yanktonai Dakota artist.

Other fine art highlights included both paintings and sculpture. Standout paintings included lot 68 and 74. “Study for Painting: Indian Girl” for “Fertility of the Earth,” 1936, lot 68, by Maynard Dixon sold for $19,050*. Lot 74, Lew Davis’s “Waterhole No.2,” 1975 earned a winning bid of $13,970, doubling its low estimate. Of the bronze works presented in the sale, collectors had their eyes on the Gib Singleton pieces. “Companeros,” 1995, cast 2009, was lot 99 and achieved $13,200*. Lot 100 titled, “Winter’s Feast,” cast 2009, left the block for $9,240*. Selling for $12,065* was the life-size carved limestone by Doug Hyde, lot 93, titled, “Second Mesa Basket Dancer.”

Lot 348: A set of Nila Cook Navajo sterling silver and turquoise jewelry $10,160

Lot 348: A set of Nila Cook Navajo sterling silver and turquoise jewelry $10,160

In the selection of jewelry, lot 348 garnered a lot of attention. A set of Navajo sterling silver and turquoise jewelry started with a modest estimate of $600-800, but after multiple online and phone bids, achieved an exciting price realized of $10,160*. The Roycroft furniture pieces performed well, the top being lot 102, an oak trestle table, selling for $6,985*.

Representing Native American textiles and decorative art were lots 115, 151, and 199. Lot 199 was a large Navajo Germantown eyedazzler rug that brought in $4,762*. Starting with a $700-900 estimate then selling for an impressive $3,300* was lot 115, a Hupa/Yurok/Karuk polychrome basketry hat. Also included in this Art of the American West auction was a unique and beautiful collection of Northwest Coast masks by Randy Stiglitz. The top lot of this collection was lot 151 that sold for $3,175*.
To see a full list of sale results, go to www.johnmoran.com.  
*- Includes buyer’s premium   
— Brenda Smith, John Moran Auctioneers 

“Leading the sale was Oscar Howe’s "Grass Dancer (Pezhin wachipi)," 1959, lot 69. Howe (1915-1983) was a renowned Native American artist best known for his innovative and expressive depictions of traditional Dakota culture and mythology.”
Lot 69: Oscar Howe (1915-1983, Yanktonai Dakota)

Lot 69: Oscar Howe (1915-1983, Yanktonai Dakota) "Grass Dancer (Pezhin wachipi)" $114,300

Upcoming Auctions

John Moran Auctioneers is continuing their 2024 lineup with the California and American Fine Art auction, Tuesday, November 12th, 2024, followed by the Art of the American West sale, Wednesday, November 13th, 2024. Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming auctions so you don’t miss out on the action, and the treasures!      
ReDesigned: Tuesday, October 15th | 10:00 am PDT
California and American Fine Art: Tuesday, November 12th | 12:00 pm PDT
Art of the American West: Wednesday, November 13th | 10:00 am PDT
Modern & Contemporary Fine Art: Tuesday, November 19th | 12:00 pm PDT
Latin American Art + Design: Wednesday, November 20th | 10:00 am PDT
Jewelry, Watches & Luxury: Tuesday, December 10th | 12:00 pm PDT
The Traditional Collector: Wednesday, December 11th | 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!