Los Angeles, CA — John Moran Auctioneers will kick off their spring lineup with an Art of the American West sale, happening Tuesday, March 25th, 2025, at 12:00pm PDT. Comprised of over 350 lots, this auction will feature an exciting and robust offering of fine art for a wide range of collecting aesthetics from historic to contemporary. Heading this sale are works by Tom Lovell, Don Oelze, and Dan Ostermiller. Other fine art will feature Joan Savo, Robert Griffing, Bonnie Marris, Kenneth Riley, Clark Hulings, Heinie Hartwig, and Edith Hamlin. Western bronzes from artists such as Allan Houser, James Regimbal, Ken Payne, Edward James Fraughton, George Montgomery, Glenna Goodacre, Grant Speed, Fritz White, and Susan Osterman Kliewer will be offered. Incredible examples of Navajo and Pueblo jewelry including pieces by Jimmie Calabaza, Doris Smallcanyon, Carol Felley, Gary Reeves, Tommie Tso represent more than 40 lots. Also, a variety of Navajo textiles, pottery, and baskets including a Panamint basket, two Maidu basketry bowls, and three Apache burden baskets.
Dan Ostermiller (b. 1956), "Winged Rapture" $20,000-30,000
The star of the sale is Tom Lovell’s stunning painting, A Warrior No More (1994). Lovell (1909–1997), renowned for his breathtaking depictions of the American West, captured powerful moments of history in his work. Known for his vibrant pulp fiction covers and his intricate illustrations for National Geographic, Lovell has a special place in the world of art. This work, estimated $25,000-35,000, brings his masterful eye for detail to life, reflecting a poignant scene of Native American life as it collided with the changing world.
Moran’s is thrilled to present three Don Oelze works. Born in New Zealand, Oelze’s deep fascination with America—especially its rich cowboy and Native American history—has fueled his stunning works of art. This auction will offer Oelze’s Hunters Return, estimated $25,000-35,000, Recounting the Coup, 2007, valued at $25,000-35,000, and An Old Trail, estimated at $20,000-30,000. In each of these works, Oelze (b. 1965) captures a powerful and timeless moment from Native American life, inviting viewers to reflect on history in a beautifully detailed and captivating way.
Making its way to the block is Joan Savo’s thought-provoking Whirly Bird Child Killer (circa 1967), a bold piece with a powerful message with an estimate of $12,000-18,000. Savo (1918-1992), known for her unique style of visualizing rather than working from a model, pushed boundaries to capture not just the form but the emotion and attitude behind each figure. This particular painting, which was part of the 1967 Pax Art anti-Vietnam War exhibition in Monterey, CA, “Angry Artists Week West,” features a striking portrayal of Lyndon B. Johnson and an abstracted helicopter, incorporating elements of the American flag. It speaks to the intense political climate of the time and reflects Savo’s passion for expressing her views through art.
A Doris Smallcanyon Navajo sterling silver and coral squash blossom necklace set $1,000-2,000
A stunning work that captures the rich history of Native American and Colonial interactions is Robert Griffing’s, The Delegates (2006), estimated $10,000-15,000. Growing up in Western Pennsylvania, where so many pivotal events of the eighteenth century unfolded, Griffing (b. 1940) developed a deep passion for Native American history. Today, he’s known for bringing to life the Native Americans of the Great Lakes and Eastern Woodlands in his work, which has graced everything from national magazine covers to educational documentaries and museum exhibitions—like the Smithsonian’s Emissaries of Peace in 2007.
There will be a robust selection of bronzes, leading with the larger-than-life, “Winged Rapture,” 1991 by Dan Ostermiller. Standing at over 8ft tall, and estimated at $20,000-30,000, this work is an example of how Ostermiller (b. 1956) creates animal figures in context with their natural surroundings. One of the most renowned Native American painters and Modernist sculptors of the 20th century, Allan Houser (1914-1994, Chiricahua Apache) will be featured with his work, Plains War Dance, 1989, valued at $4,000-6,000. Also, with an estimate of $3,000-5,000 is James Regimbal’s Highway to Home, 1998.
Collectors are sure to turn out for the variety of Native American jewelry and concho belts. A Doris Smallcanyon Navajo sterling silver and coral squash blossom necklace set estimated $1,000-2,000 will be offered. Among the belt options will be a First Phase-style Navajo sterling silver and brass concho belt, valued at $1,000-2,000.
Other interesting pieces include a photographic album from 1910 of Clara A. Nash, with a value of $8,000-12,000. This rare photographic album belonging to Clara A. Nash of Thatcher, Arizona, is dated January 23, 1910. Featuring 45 photographs taken by John Edward Jones (1863-1922), an Illinois-based photographer, this oblong octavo album (7.25″ x 11″) offers a unique glimpse into life on the San Carlos Reservation at the turn of the century. Established in 1872 as the first Apache reservation, the San Carlos Reservation, often called “Hell’s Forty Acres” due to its poor environmental and health conditions, is captured in these powerful images—providing a rare historical perspective on this significant chapter of Native American history. There will also be a Blackfoot model teepee from the 1890s, estimated at $2,000-3,000.
— Brenda Smith, John Moran Auctioneers
“The star of the sale is Tom Lovell’s stunning painting, A Warrior No More (1994). Lovell (1909–1997), renowned for his breathtaking depictions of the American West, captured powerful moments of history in his work.”
Tom Lovell (1909-1997), "A Warrior No More" $25,000-35,000
Upcoming Auctions
John Moran Auctioneers is continuing their 2025 lineup with the California Living sale, Tuesday, March 11th, 2025, followed by the Art of the American West auction, Tuesday, March 25th, 2025. Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming auctions so you don’t miss out on the action, and the treasures!
California Living: Tuesday, March 11th | 10:00 am PDT
Art of the American West: Tuesday, March 25th | 12:00 pm PDT
ReDesigned: Tuesday, April 8th | 12:00 pm PDT
Jewelry & Watches: Tuesday, April 22nd | 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.
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