SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- An excellent assortment of Apache and other Southwest baskets from the John Bowers Collection and an Arizona family collection highlight Bonhams' annual fall auction of Native American art on December 8 in San Francisco. The star of these baskets is a spectacular 34" tall Apache olla that is larger than 95 percent of these types of baskets (est. $30,000-50,000).

Another stand-out piece in this approximately 400-lot auction is a Navajo first phase chief's blanket from the Sidney and Alexandra Sheldon Collection of Malibu, Calif., (est. $200,000-300,000). Bonhams is proud to offer property from the collection of these Hollywood icons. Additional weavings to be sold include a classic Moki blanket, Germantown examples, Rio Grandes, remarkable contemporary textiles, and transitional and regional rugs of every size, age and color.

Southwest contemporary art highlights stand out in the sale perhaps more than ever before, such as four Allan Houser bronzes, the largest of which is “Mother’s Blessing,” (est. $20,000-30,000) and “Another Dream,” a 35” bronze sculpture by Fritz Scholder (est. $10,000-15,000). There is also a ceramic sculpture of “Last One Out” by Roxanne Swentzell (est. $20,000-30,000) which is a model of “Emergence,” a larger Swentzell bronze that welcomes people into the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe. It depicts Mother Earth holding a pottery bowl out of which emerge miniature figures that signify the human race.

There are also two collections - from Boston and Scottsdale - of superlative contemporary Southwest pottery from major artists of the New Mexican pueblos. Included are works by Maria Martinez and a rare turtle figure by her grandson Tony Da, Helen Cordero storytellers and a complete nativity scene group, a large Margaret Tafoya carved redware jar and several blackware examples, a 14" Fannie Nampeyo jar, an Al Qoyawayma architectural model of Anasazi ruins measuring 17" across, and a 12" carved blackware jar by Tammy Garcia.

Several top-flight examples of ancient Mimbres and Sikyatki pictorial pottery bowls are also on offer.

Southwest jewelry available includes an early Isleta cross necklace from the famed C.G. Wallace collection, as well as Charles Loloma pendants and a bracelet purchased from the artist himself. The bracelet is of a very au courant style and is set with a brilliant turquoise stone in a gold bezel on a textured silver band (est. $10,000-15,000).

There are also Southwest antique Hopi and Zuni kachina dolls from a Beverly Hills collector. One measures 15" (est. 5,000-8,000).

Pacific Northwest Coast highlights include two Tlingit or Haida raven rattles from the mid-19th century (est. $20,000- 40,000 and $20,000-30,000, respectively). There is also a Northwest Coast Chilkat blanket that was purchased in Alaska in the early 1930s by the client’s parents (est. $30,000-40,000).

Out of the Plains/Plateau/Woodlands is an exceptional Eastern Sioux beaded hide panel depicting mounted warriors, an eagle and floral complements, from a family who has owned it since around 1910 (est. $10,000-15,000). There is also a Sioux beaded pictorial tobacco bag, a Blackfoot example; as well as bandolier and tipi bags.

From a Sun Valley home is an excellent array of New Mexican retablos - 19th century examples painted on wood – by some of the most well-known and creative artists of their era: Jose Aragon, Antonio Molleno and the Quill Pen Santero.