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Navajo blanket

Navajo blanket sells to LiveAuctioneers bidder for $90,000

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Estimated at $10,000-$15,000, this classic Navajo second phase chief’s blanket sold for an astounding $90,000 through LiveAuctioneers.com. John Moran Auctioneers image
Estimated at $10,000-$15,000, this classic Navajo second phase chief’s blanket sold for $90,000 through LiveAuctioneers.com. John Moran Auctioneers image

 

MONROVIA, Calif. – A Navajo second phase chief’s blanket and contemporary Western paintings stole the show at John Moran Auctioneers’ sale Feb 23.

While fine art highlights were numerous, the evening’s top-lot status went to an unassuming-looking second phase Navajo chief’s blanket (above), which was brought to the block with a $10,000 to $15,000 estimate. While the blanket had several condition issues, its red bands were dyed with desirable cochineal, and interest quietly built in the days before the sale. After the lot opened, telephone bidders slowly dropped out as the hammer price steadily climbed. In the end, an online buyer utilizing LiveAuctioneers.com’s bid platform proved the victor of the bidding war, paying a stunning $90,000 for the blanket.

Modern and contemporary Western paintings and bronzes brought strong prices throughout the evening, with a number of the top lots hailing from the Estate of Phoebe Hearst Cooke. A fine example from Wyoming painter Tucker Smith (b. 1940) depicting a cowboy herding cattle in a rolling verdant landscape, titled Gathering the Quarter Circle Five, easily surpassed its $10,000 to $15,000 estimate. The painting (below) realized $26,400 (prices realized include Moran’s 20 percent buyer’s premium).

 

 

Tucker Smith’s (b. 1940 Wyoming) ‘Gathering the Quarter Circle Five’ sold for $26,400 (est.: $10,000-$15,000). John Moran Auctioneers image
Tucker Smith’s (b. 1940 Wyoming) ‘Gathering the Quarter Circle Five’ sold for $26,400 (est.: $10,000-$15,000). John Moran Auctioneers image

 

A peaceful nocturnal composition (below) depicting a seated cowboy and his horse awash in blue-toned moonlight by Chicago-based Bill Anton was offered for $15,000 to $20,000. Titled Good Company, the painting opened high thanks to multiple absentee bids, but sold to a floor buyer for $22,800.

 

‘Good Company’ by Bill Anton (b. 1957) sold for $22,800. John Moran Auctioneers image
‘Good Company’ by Bill Anton (b. 1957) sold for $22,800. John Moran Auctioneers image

 

Early 20th century American decorative arts provided a number of highlights, including a highly anticipated Arts and Crafts hall chair, originally designed by Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene for the entryway hall of their Pasadena, Calif., Blacker House. Offered for $50,000 to $70,000, the chair brought $66,000.

For questions regarding this or upcoming auctions, or to speak to a specialist regarding consignment, contact John Moran Auctioneers via telephone 626-793-1833 or email: info@johnmoran.com.

Navajo blanketClick here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.