MESA, Ariz. – An historic early 20th century Navajo rug from J.B. Moore, a San Ildefonso pottery plate crafted by Maria Martinez around the same time, a circa-1940 watercolor painting by Oscar Berninghaus (Am., 1874-1952), and a large Apache basket from the 1930s or ‘40s are just a few of the expected top lots in this year’s Big Fall Phoenix auction planned for Nov. 11-12.

Big Fall Phoenix is held every autumn by Allard Auctions, Inc., based in Saint Ignatius, Mont. Like last year, this year’s event will be held at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Mesa, Ariz., just outside Phoenix. Offered will be more than 1,000 lots of American Indian artifacts, art and related collectibles. Start times are 12 noon Nov. 11, and 11 am Nov. 12 (both times Mountain).

Featured will be a quality collection of Navajo rugs, original Native art and pottery from Santa Fe, beadwork items from the Bob Wills collection, Native art from a Chicago collection, items from the Williams Costume Company, over 100 baskets, over 100 pieces of beadwork, over 100 items of jewelry, over 50 pieces of pottery and more than 50 Northwest Coast and Eskimo items.

Also offered will be old photos, bronzes, kachina dolls, trade beads, ivory carvings, stone relics, Western relics, interesting antiques, collectors’ books, music items and over 60 box lots that will be sold at the end of each session and are an Allard Auctions favorite. For those unable to attend the sale in person, online bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com and iCollector.com.

 The Maria Martinez plate, the Oscar Berninghaus painting and the Apache basket are all in the Session 1 catalog, on November 11th. Of those, the Martinez plate carries the strongest estimate, at $8,000-$16,000. It’s a large and impressive black-on-black pottery plate, 14 inches in diameter with classic radiating feather design. It’s in very good condition and a museum-quality example.

The Berninghaus watercolor is a wonderful painting titled Ranch Corals – New Mexico, written in hand, and “Ranch Near Taos, N.M.” written above the signature, housed in the original frame (est. $6,000-$12,000). The Apache basket is 18 inches by 18 inches, a wider-bodied woven basketry olla with repeating diamond blocks and vertical rows of arrows (est. $5,000-$10,000).

Other highlights of Session 1 include an early 1900s men’s fancy Plateau beaded vest with the rare lapel and a fully beaded front, a velvet back and an inside lined with calico cloth, in very good condition (est. $4,000-$8,000); and a large Pointillist oil on canvas painting of the Grand Canyon, done in glorious color and large, measuring 45 inches by 25 inches (est. $2,000-$4,000).

The historic J. B. Moore Navajo rug, circa 1903-1911, promises to be a standout lot of Session 2, with a robust pre-sale estimate of $10,000-$20,000. It was designed and woven by “Meh-lo-to be Day-zhie,” from page 11 of Moore’s famous early 1900s catalog. This earlier version of the rug, indigo blue in color, measures 89 inches by 57 inches and is one of only a few still in existence.

Other Navajo rugs (or weavings) in the session will feature a late 1800s fine weave Germantown eye-dazzler, with fine outlined features and short fringed ends, 56 inches by 36 inches (est. $4,000-$8,000); and an early 1900s sturdy weave variant 3rd phase Chief’s blanket done in black, white and gray with small red details in crisp colors, 60 inches by 68 inches (est. $3,000-$6,000).

Beaded dresses are always a hit with bidders. Offered will be an early 1900s Plateau tanned elk hide dress with a yoke with multi-color undulating rows of beads and more beads on the shoulder strips and collar (est. $4,000-$8,000); and a circa 1930s Shoshone brain-tanned buckskin dress with a colorful and lazy stitch beaded contour style top, in usable condition (est. $2,000-$4,000).

Also in Session 2 is an early 20th century original oil on canvas painting by Albert Groll (Am., 1866-1952), titled Mountain Pool, professionally restored, 30 inches by 34 inches (est. $2,000-$4,000). Bidders may view the full catalog now, at www.allardauctions.com. Phone and absentee bids will be accepted. Absentee bids may be posted on the site until an hour before the auction.

The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites are located at 1600 South Country Club Drive in Mesa, Ariz., near Phoenix. Previews will be held on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 8 am until the start of sale (12 noon, Mountain time) and Sunday, Nov. 12, from 8 am until the start of sale at 10 am. Allard Auctions maintains its home offices on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Saint Ignatius, Mont.

Allard Auctions, Inc., has been selling exclusively American Indian artifacts, art and related collectibles 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 (888) 314-0343; or send an e-mail to info@allardauctions.com.

To learn more about Allard Auctions, Inc., and the upcoming Big Fall Phoenix Auction scheduled for Nov. 11-12, please visit www.allardauctions.com. Updates are posted frequently.

                                                                        #  #  #  #