MESA, Ariz. – An historic, fully-beaded Cree-made Native American Hopi vest with traditional floral motif, and a rare and fine weave Navajo woman’s “Manta” robe made from Germantown wool in the 1890s, are expected headliners at this year’s Big Spring Phoenix auction, planned for March 12-13 by Allard Auctions, at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Mesa, outside of Phoenix.

This year’s auction will feature 750 lots of Native American and Western artifacts, artworks and related collectibles. Lots 1-450 will come up for bid on Saturday, March 12th (starting 12 noon, Mountain time); lots 501-800 on Sunday, March 13th, starting at 10 a.m. Previews both days will start at 8 a.m. Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and iCollector.com.

“Big Spring Phoenix will be packed this year with a famous collection out of Santa Fe, a great collection of Anasazi pottery, a private collection of Zuni bolo ties and concho belts, a private Katsina doll collection, and fine California, Southwest and Northwest Coast baskets,” said Steve Allard of Allard Auctions, Inc., based on the Flathead Indian Reservation in St. Ignatius, Mont.

Featured will be Native American baskets, pottery, jewelry, Navajo rugs, beadwork, Northwest Coast and Eskimo items, original artwork, prehistoric collectibles, bronzes, Katsina dolls, antiques and more. “There really will be something for everyone in this sale, at price points that will appeal to the novice collector to the serious and seasoned veteran,” Mr. Allard observed.

The circa-1900 Cree-made vest comes with an extensive provenance. It was given to, and worn by, the famous Hopi, “Judge Hooker” Hongeva, who was Chief and Mayor of Sichimovi in 1902. The vest could even pre-date that. All three items in the lot (the vest, quirt and sword) are in very good condition. The group has been assigned a pre-sale estimate of $10,000-$20,000.

The fine weave woman’s Navajo “Manta” robe of piled Germantown wool on aniline dyed wefts is a unique example, done in a classic pattern. It’s in very good condition with a nice tight weave and still-excellent, vibrant colors. It was last purchased in 1989 for $9,500 and was appraised in the 1990s for $12,500. Measuring 58 inches by 45 inches, the robe should hit $10,000-$20,000.

A circa 1980s White Buffalo lidded sterling jar with fine etched designs, 8 ½ inches in height and boasting a solid 18kt gold bear on the lid, is expected to hammer for $5,000-$10,000. The museum-quality and highly collectible jar, handcrafted by Mike Perez, is in very good condition. Its etched designs include a turquoise and coral raised inlay Avanyu serpent and lid decorations.

Two huge Anasazi pottery jars are expected to attract bidder interest. One is a globular small-necked black-on-white Tularosa water jar with detailed fineline and lightning bolt designs, 16 inches tall (est. $5,500-$11,000). The other is a classic thin-walled globular Tularosa water jar with fineline, diamond and bold, hooked element designs, 12 inches tall (est. $4,000-$8,000).

A third Anasazi item worth noting is an 1100-1200 AD traditional Wingate area thin-walled deep Puerco bowl with rows of dotted diamonds for the interior design. It is estimated to realize $500-$1,000. Also sold will be a large-sized 500-1000 AD brown incised Caddo Crockett pottery bowl with classic curvilinear designs and rare four-point scalloped rim. The bowl, from Crenshaw Mound, is 9 inches tall, 99 percent complete and intact and glued. It should make $2,000-$4,000.

A pair of mid-20th century fine weave feathered gift baskets with all original quail top knot feathers intact, both in excellent near-mint condition, are expected to excite bidders. One is a bit larger than the other – 5 inches by 2 ¼ inches – and was made circa 1960. It’s expected to rise to $1,000-$2,000. The other, measuring 4 inches by 2 ½ inches, is estimated to bring $500-$1,000.

A circa 1980s early original thin-walled pottery jar with polychrome design by Juan Quezada (often called the father of the Mata Ortiz pottery revival), last acquired in the 1980s for $10,000, should bring $2,500-$5,000; and a Cochiti pottery deer figure with a small head, exaggerated body and painted designs on the back and body, made circa 1890-1900, in overall good condition (except original antlers and ears are missing), 13 inches tall, should hammer for $1,000-$2,000.

Two very different lots carry identical pre-sale estimates of $2,500-$5,000.The first is a late 19th century traditional Iroquois/Chippewa men’s Woodlands beaded bandolier (shoulder bag), with flowing floral designs on the main panel and matching straps, in very good condition. The other is a mid-1900s original gouache painting by Navajo artist Harrison Begay (1914-2012), signed, of 20 Native dancers around a campfire – including the blue-headed Yei Bei Chais – unframed.

Rounding out just some of the day’s expected star lots is an exceedingly rare, prehistoric hand-carved Taoni basalt stone effigy pestle, with zoomorphic or humanoid head and bell-shaped base, 6 inches by 3 ¾ inches (est. $1,250-$2,500). Allard Auctions’ next big sale after this one will be Best of Santa Fe, slated for August 13-14 at Santa Fe Scottish Rite Temple in Santa Fe. N.M. The auction will feature hundreds of American Indian artifacts, art and related collectibles.

Bidders can view a full catalog online, at the Allard Auctions website, at www.allardauctions.com. Phone and absentee bids will be accepted. The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites are located at 1600 South Country Club Drive in Mesa. A buyer’s premium of 15% will be applied to all purchases (20% for phone and Internet bidders). To order a full color catalog, please call 888-314-0343.

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 at (888) 314-0343; or, you can send them an e-mail at info@allardauctions.com.

To learn more about Allard Auctions, Inc. and the upcoming Big Spring Phoenix Auction scheduled for March 12th and 13th, visit www.allardauctions.com. Updates are posted often.

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