The two-day Arts of the American West auction on November 10 and 11 at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers in Denver had strong sessions of American paintings and Southwestern jewelry. It was standing room only for the first session of Western paintings and fine art. During both days, 670 lots were sold for a sale total of $726,452 with buyer¹s premium. Successful bidders participated across the country, with buyers in the Midwest, Southwest and West purchasing most.

Two paintings by John Ford Clymer were the top lots of the sale. Stalking Buffalo sold to the floor for $161,000 against a presale estimate of $80,000 ­ 120,000 and The Wild Land, 1967, sold to a phone bidder for $81,250 against a presale estimate of $60,000 ­ 80,000.   

Three paintings by Gerald Harvey Jones were among the top lots sold. All with presale estimates of $10,000 ­ 15,000, Black Gold sold for $35,000, Old Country Store sold for $30,000 and A Family Outing sold for $27,500. Herbert Bayer¹s 1960 group of six paintings from the estate of Julie Anderson Smith, Santa Fe, New Mexico, sold for $21,250 against a presale estimate of $8,000 ­ 12,000. Desert Sunrise by James Swinnerton sold for $6,250 (estimated at $3,000 ­ 5,000). 

Other highlights from day one of the sale include Pueblo pottery. A Santa Clara blackware jar in the style of the early Tafoya family sold for $6,000, five Dolores Curan (b. 1954) Santa Clara miniature pottery items sold for $1,000 and four Lonewolf Family Santa Clara miniature seed jars (one by Joseph Lonewolf and three by his daughter Susan Romero Snowflake) realized $1,625.

The sale closed on day two with a strong offering of Southwestern jewelry, resulting in a 95% sell through rate. The top lot from this category was a Hopi 18 karat yellow gold, turquoise and lapis bracelet. Circa 1975, the bracelet was fashioned in Loloma¹s dramatically vertical composition and sold for $32,000. Other cuff bracelets sold well such as one by Perry Shorty which sold for $1,875, one by Michael Kabotie which sold for $4,500, and the largest piece, physically, a monumental Southwestern silver and turquoise squash blossom necklace sold for $2,125.

The Arts of the American West department is currently seeking consignments for its next sale in Denver on May 18, 2017. The sale closes for consignments on March 10. The Denver office is also accepting consignments for all other departments at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Visit lesliehindman.com to view additional results of the sale or to inquire regarding upcoming consignment opportunities.

Top lots:

28        John Ford Clymer: $161,000 (estimate $80,000/120,000)

29        John Ford Clymer: $81,250 (estimate $60,000/80,000

54        G. Harvey: $35,000 (estimate $10,000/15,000)

478      Charles Loloma Gold cuff $32,500 (estimate $30,000/50,000)

52        G. Harvey: $30,000 (estimate $10,000/15,000)

53        G. Harvey: $27,500 (estimate $10,000/15,000)

70        Herbert Bayer: $21,250 (estimate $8,000/12,000)

14        James Swinnerton $6,250 (estimate $3,000 ­ 5,000)

184      Santa Clara Blackware Jar $6,000 (estimate $4,000 ­ 6,000)

470      A Hopi Overlay Bracelet, Michael Kabotie, $4,500 (estimate $1,000 ­ 1,500)

Visit www.lesliehindman.com for more information.