The James M. Cole Collection of American Indian Art
John Moran Auctioneers is pleased to present the James M. Cole Collection, featuring more than 350 lots of Native American objects, art, and artifacts. The primary focus of the sale is Cole’s extensive collection of Native American baskets. With over 150 lots on offer, mainly from the Yokuts tribe and the California Mission, Washoe, Mono, and Pomo, but also from the Southwest and Northwest United States. As well as an important collection of California baskets, the auction will also include other American Indian objects including Western-style jewelry, numerous stone implements, ax heads and flints many from California, Plains Indian beadwork, Northwest Coast wood carvings, Inuit soapstone carvings, and Fine Art offerings including works by John Steele. As a fourth-generation Californian, James Cole (June 15, 1930- November 13, 2020) developed an early fascination for the state’s Native American history and material culture. He spent the better part of his life in deep study and focus on the history and peoples of the Central Valley and his collection is a testament to this.
