DENVER,CO.- Works by Fritz Scholder, Earl Biss, and Allan Houser were among the highlights in Hindman’s $2.7 million Western & Contemporary Native American Art auction. The November 1 auction saw 208 of its 220 lots sell, with eight lots selling for six figures.

Demand for Scholders Remain High

As has been the case for the last several years in Hindman’s Western & Contemporary Native American Art auctions, Fritz Scholder (Luiseño, 1937-2005) was the star of the sale, claiming eight of the top ten sales prices of the day, including seven paintings selling for over $100,000. All ten works by the artist in the auction sold above their low estimates with eight topping their high estimates.

The top lot of the selection was 1972’s Sioux War Party (lot 166), which sold for $264,000 against a $100,000 - $200,000 estimate. Other Scholder highlights include:

•Lot 170 | Snake Dancers and Shadows, 1977
Sold for $233,100
•Lot 171 | American Portrait with Onlooker, 1975
Sold for $214,200
•Lot 163 | Indian with Heart, circa 1970
Sold for $201,600
•Lot 168 | Dancers at San Ildefonso
Sold for $182,700
•Lot 164 | Indian Profile, 1974
Sold for $113,400
•Lot 165 | Buffalo Ceremony, 1974
Sold for $100,800

Contemporary Native American Artists A Force On The Auction Block

Scholder was not the only contemporary artist in demand throughout the auction. Earl Biss (Apsáalooke, 1947-1998) realized a new auction record with Autumn Pass (lot 173), which sold for $78,750 against a presale estimate of $20,000 - $30,000. A pair of Allan Houser (Chiricahua Apache, 1914-1994) bronzes – War Pony (lot 189; sold for $44,100) and Acorn Harvest (lot 188; sold for $37,800) – were among the top fifteen lots in the sale while John Nieto (American, 1936-2018) saw two works beat estimate including Rancho de Taos Church (lot 158; sold for $34,650).

Classic Western Design Furniture Find New Ranch Home

Among all the paintings and sculptures, the auction also featured an exquisite selection of furniture from the iconic designer of Western American Furniture, Thomas Molesworth (American, 1890-1977). A vibrant spindle sided couch with leather and Chimayo weavings, circa 1945 (lot 104) was the top lot of the selection selling for $21,420. Other highlights from the selection included a matching spindle sided armchair and ottoman (lot 103) that sold for $20,160 and an original club chair with custom-made ottoman (lot 107) that sold for $18,900.

Other Notable Lots

Other notable results from the auction include:

•Lot 93 | Gerald Harvey Jones (American, 1933-2017)
The New Fillies, 1983
Sold for $69,300
•Lot 89 | Martin Grelle (American, b. 1954)
A Refuge from the Cold, 1991
Sold for $50,400
•Lot 41 | Frank McCarthy (American, 1924-2002)
The Signal, 1979
Sold for $31,500
•Lot 92 | Gerald Harvey Jones (American, 1933-2017)
In for Supplies
Sold for $31,500
•Lot 53 | Dorothy Brett (American, 1883-1976)
Deer Hunter, 1967
Sold for $25,200
•Lot 175 | Jaune Quick-To-See Smith (Confederated Salish/Kootenai, b. 1940)
Kalispel Series
Sold for $23,940
•Lot 56 | Dale Nichols (American, 1904-1995)
White Dove of the Desert, 1953
Sold for $22,680