MESA, Ariz. – An outstanding collection of 40 hand-wrought, Navajo-made silver pill, jewelry and trinket boxes, many with turquoise stones and made between the 1930s and the 1980s, sold for $9,200 at Allard Auctions’ Big Spring Phoenix Auction, held March 8-9 at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Mesa, just outside Phoenix. Allard Auctions is based in St. Ignatius, Montana.

The silver box collection was the top lot of the sale and actually contained 48 pieces overall. In addition to the boxes, the lot also featured two great canteens (one with coral), a small dish and five non-Indian pieces. The boxes came in various sizes and most boasted great patina. All had lids or covers. The largest two were signed by noted silversmiths “L. James” and “Suzie James.”

Over 800 lots of Native American art and artifacts came up for bid in an auction that grossed about $322,000. Between 100 and 125 people packed the house in person, while online bidding (facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and iCollector.com) accounted for more than 500 registered bidders. Phone and absentee bids were also taken. In all there were about 300 successful bidders.

“There was a great deal of interest and excitement surrounding this sale way in advance of the actual event, and that told me it would be a huge success, which it was,” said Steve Allard of Allard Auctions. “It was one of our better auctions in the last two or three years. Just about all the major categories did well – jewelry, fine weave rugs, baskets, beadwork and unique items.”

Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.

Many items sailed past their pre-sale estimates to bring high dollars (the true hallmark of a successful auction). The silver box collection, in fact, was only expected to fetch $2,000-$5,000. Also, a spectacular graduated green turquoise heshi strand necklace with fetish birds, bears and tear-drop extensions of turquoise and spiny oyster (est. $275-$550) ended up bringing $2,875.

Other overachievers included a large polychrome Acoma pottery jar (by L. Concho), with classic floral motif in excellent condition, made circa 1978 (est. $400-$800) gaveled for $2,588; and an oversized Navajo turquoise and silver squash blossom Yellow Bird necklace set with about 200 carats of Morenci turquoise, beautifully crafted circa 1970s (est. $800-$1,600) garnered $2,750.

An early 20th century fully beaded ceremonial drumstick (Assiniboine/Gros Ventre), with a triangular drop and American flags in the design, in very good condition, made $1,840 against a pre-sale estimate of $300-$600. Also a very fine Navajo new wave storm pot (pottery jar), made circa the 1990s by the renowned McKelvey Sisters, estimated at $500-$1,000), went for $1,955.

Hopi pottery jars, in particular, did very well. A late 20th century Hopi olla (earthen pot used for holding water or cooking) by Hisi Nampeyo, with a flared rim and opposed polychrome parrot figures reached $1,035; while another Hisi Nampeyo example – a fine polychrome seed jar with four-way avian symbols, in very good condition and probably made around 1972, rose to $748.

A fine black-on-buff egg-shaped Hopi pottery jar with bug and floral motif by the legendary Featherwoman (Silvia Naha), crafted in the late 20th century and in very good condition, breezed to $863, and another Naha creation – a fine polychrome-on-buff seed jar with a lizard figure and cornstalk on the shoulder, also in very good condition and made in the late 1900s, made $748.

An exceptional San Ildefonso blackware pottery plate by Maria & Santana (made circa 1960s), with feather designs and in superb condition, 10 inches in diameter, went to a determined bidder for $2,588. Also, a signed original pen and ink on paper work by Charles F. Lovato (1937-1987), depicting pottery and a stylized animal, circa 1972, 17 inches by 22 inches (framed) made $805.

Rounding out just some of the auction’s top lots, a vintage flat beaded ladies’ pictorial belt with sheep, a cow, horses and goat figures, made circa 1920 and measuring 6 inches by 36 inches, in very good condition, achieved $1,840; and a Navajo Two Gray Hills rug (or weaving) by Sadie Begay, done in beautiful earth tones and measuring 31 inches by 54 inches, gaveled for $1,725.

Allard Auctions will host several small sales leading up to its next major event, the annual Best of Santa Fe Auction slated for Aug. 16-17, at the Scottish Rites Hall in Santa Fe, N.M. At the 2013 Best of Santa Fe Auction, a museum-quality, early 20th century Native American Kiowa cradleboard with beaded accents and original boards (est. $20,000-$40,000) brought $103,500.

Allard Auctions, Inc., has been selling exclusively American Indian artifacts and art at auction since 1968. The firm is always accepting quality merchandise for future auctions. To inquire about consigning a single piece, an estate or an entire collection, you may call them at (406) 745-0500 or toll-free: (888) 314-0343; or, you can e-mail them at info@allardauctions.com.

To learn more about Allard Auctions, Inc. and the upcoming Best of Santa Fe 2014 Auction scheduled for August 16th and 17th, please log on to www.allardauctions.com. Allard Auctions, Inc., maintains its home office location on the Flathead Indian Reservation in St. Ignatius, Mont.

30 -