(SANTA FE, N.M.) – A full-size, all-original Native American Kiowa cradleboard, with beaded accents and original boards, is expected to sail past its pre-sale estimate of $20,000-$40,000 and possibly into the record books at an auction of American Indian artifacts, art and related collectibles slated for Aug. 9-10 by Allard Auctions, at Scottish Rites Hall in Santa Fe.

The museum-quality cradleboard, made in the early 1900s and measuring 46 inches by 12 inches by 10 inches, was consigned by a man in his late 90s who still remembers playing with the piece as a toy in the 1920s, when he was a boy. It was later given to him by his grandmother. The man has displayed the cradleboard in his home for the better part of the past 70-plus years.

The auction, billed as “Best of Santa Fe 2013,” will be conducted by Allard Auctions, Inc., with home offices on the Flathead Indian Reservation in St. Ignatius, Mont. Around 900 lots will come up for bid. Internet bidding will be facilitated by iCollector.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted. The Scottish Rites Hall is located at 463 Paseo de Peralta in Santa Fe.

The auction will be packed with original Native and Western art, historic beadwork, vintage Indian jewelry, Pueblo and prehistoric pottery, Native American basketry, kachina carvings, Navajo rugs and weavings, antique tradebeads, old photographs, Northwest Coast and Eskimo items. The catalog is on view at the Allard Auctions website – www.allardauctions.com.

“This auction is packed from top to bottom with quality merchandise in many categories, but we’re particularly excited about the more than 150 pieces of beadwork and over 100 Indian baskets,” said Steve Allard, owner of Allard Auctions, Inc. “The beadwork is the best we’ve ever seen, and I expect new auction records will be set by the time it’s over. Same with the baskets.”

Mr. Allard added, “Sales and interest in beadwork and baskets is strong, as it is in other areas of American Indian artifacts. The market is strong, and I see it getting even stronger. The high-end items continue to bring top dollar and there’s certainly no shortage of eager buyers. Some of our customers have been with us for 45 years or more. Many have become consignors.”

Two lots carry the same $20,000-$40,000 pre-sale estimate as the Kiowa cradleboard. One is a rare, circa 1900 full Cheyenne war dance outfit, consisting of a shirt and matching leggings, with all flat beaded geometric strips plus beaded chest shields and a nice contoured fringe. The other is a full Mandan war shirt set, with a fantastic painted hide war shirt with quilled strips and shields, human hair suspensions, matching leggings, moccasins and a belt.

Another pair of lots could make or exceed the $20,000 mark. The first is a circa 1880s Germantown chief’s blanket measuring 80 inches by 55 ½ inches (est. $12,500-$25,000). The late classic second phase variant blanket is woven from Bayeta, Churro and Germantown yarns. The second is a large and beautiful San Ildefonso pottery jar, by Popovi Da (1922-1971). The signed, double-necked black-on-black wedding vase, circa 1964, should hit $15,000-$30,000.

A beautiful late 19th century 8 inch by 10 inch original gold tone photograph by Edward S. Curtis (1868), titled At the Old Well of Acoma, signed and in the original frame with the original Curtis Studio label on the back, is expected to realize $4,000-$8,000. Also, a signed original casein painting by Harrison Begay (1914-2012), depicting the Yei Bei Chai dancers below the invoked Yei deities, done around the mid-1900s, framed, should bring $2,000-$4,000.

A rare and gorgeous sinew sewn and lazy stitch beaded saddle drape, executed in the early 1900s in the traditional style, in very good condition and measuring 62 inches by 29 ½ inches, carries a pre-sale estimate of $4,000-$8,000. Also, a yellow cedar mask expertly carved by the high-end coast Salish carver Darryl Baker, titled An Eagle’s Vision of Life and Death, done circa 2002 and measuring 17 inches by 11 inches by 10 inches, should hit $3,000-$6,000.

An exceptional Plateau dentalia buckskin dress in very good condition, done with seed beads, pony beads, tube beads, cut-in fringed edges and yoke, completely covered front and back with thousands of dentalium shells, circa 1930s-‘40s, should breeze to $3,500-$7,000; and a rare old-style straight feather bonnet with canvas cap, sinew sewn and lazy stitch beaded brow band, bright pink yarns and feather quill top-knot (legal feathers) is expected to reach $2,500-$5,000.

A fully beaded Sioux cradleboard from around 1900 in very good condition and with traditional Sioux designs, 10 inches by 27 inches by 11 inches, has a pre-sale estimate of $3,000-$6,000. Also, an outstanding vintage blouse/sash Navajo pin with matching hand-cut green turquoise stones, crafted in the 1940s and in very good condition, should garner $700-$1,400.

A late 19th century Great Lakes early trade cloth and fabric bandolier bag with flowing beaded forms and intricate geometrics on the body and strap with some unique symbols and figures, 40 inches by 11 inches, should hammer for $2,500-$5,000; and a large and colorful two-sided traditional Nez Perce cornhusk bag with striking geometric designs on both sides and done in fine woolens, made circa 1920 and 21 inches by 16 inches, should climb to $2,000-$4,000.

A classic design Plains buckskin war shirt from the 1970s, with matching beaded strips, front, back, sleeves, medallion neckpiece and long fringe, in very good condition, has a pre-sale estimate of $2,500-$5,000; and a classic old fully beaded Sioux buckskin vest, circa 1900, sinew sewn and lazy stitch beaded, with traditional Sioux symbols, should command $2,500-$5,000.

A large and shallow Apache basket with seven-point star, arrowheads, weaver’s comb, checkers Xs and other designs, slightly faded but otherwise good, from the early 1900s, should sell for $2,500-$5,000; and a sinew sewn and lazy stitch beaded Sioux tepee bag with traditional bold geometric design on the front and up the sides, circa 1930S, should coast to $2,000-$4,000.

Belts will feature a signed Navajo concho belt by Mabel Nez, circa 1960s, with hand-chiseled and stamped conchos and a buckle outlined with natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise cabochons (est. $2,500-$5,000); and a Zuni concho belt by Beverly Etsate, circa 1980s, with stone-to-stone overlay kachinas on a jet background in different designs (est. $2,000-$4,000).

Also offered Aug. 9-10 will be a museum-quality oval-shaped Klickitat basket, made circa early 1900s, with an intricate geometric diamond pattern on the sides and floral devices on the ends (est. $2,000-$4,000); and an early 20th century classic shallow Apache basketry bowl with rare human figures, chevron devices and zigzag vertical bands (est. $2,000-$4,000).

The auction is open to the public and admission is free. Previews will be held on Friday, Aug. 9, from 8 a.m. until the first gavel comes down at 12 noon (Mountain time); and Saturday, Aug. 10, from 8 a.m. until the 10 a.m. start time. A buyer’s commission of 20 percent (for online purchases) and 15 percent (for in-person and absentee bidding) will be applied to all purchases.

Allard Auctions, Inc, has been selling exclusively American Indian artifacts and art at auction since 1968. The firm is always in the hunt for 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, you can send them an e-mail at info@allardauctions.com.

To learn more about Allard Auctions, Inc. and the upcoming “Best of Santa Fe 2013” auction scheduled for Aug. 9-10, please log on to www.allardauctions.com.

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