Saturday November 10 2019 Santa Fe Auction’s online sale racked up strong results for American Indian artworks. Top painting performers were Fritz Scholder ($125,000-hammer price, $16,000-hammer price, $10,000-hammer price), Oscar Howe ($25,000-hammer price), Abel Sanchez ($10,000-hammer price) and Pop Chalee ($9,000–hammer price)!
Buyer’s fee is 17% for all bids less than $500,000.00. This means $146,250.00 was the price paid by out of state purchaser of the 80″ X 70″ untitled painting by Fritz Scholder. The Oscar Howe painting with buyer’s fee was $29,250.00 if purchased by a collector living beyond New Mexico’s borders.
Many of the lots by American Indian artists had been the property of noted author/ fan of American Indian art, Patricia Broder. Provenance is a factor in considering the merit of a particular work of art. Many of these Mrs. Broder had illustrated and discussed in one of her many books on artists whose heritage is American Indian.
Strangely all but four of the American Indian painters are deceased, the exceptions being Neil David Sr. , Darren Vigil Gray, James Havard and Jaune Quick to See Smith.
Artist Hopid members’ paintings brought aggressive bidding: Delbridge Honanie, Milland Lomakema, Michael Kabotie, Terrance Taleswaima, Neil David Sr. Patricia Broder’s book Hopi Painting includes biographical essays of the Artist Hopid and details their exhibits and achievements.
Sculptures by American Indian artists such as Joe Beeler, RC Gorman, Allan Houser, Dan Namingha and Fritz Scholder sold readily, but generally at modest prices relative to their typical gallery prices.
Corinne Cain for SavvyCollector.com