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American West

American West, modern design highlight twin bill Nov. 14

American West
This second phase Navajo chief’s wearing blanket is expected to earn $50,000-$70,000. John Moran Auctioneers image

MONROVIA, Calif. – John Moran Auctioneers’ Nov. 14 two-session sale will begin with the Art of the American West auction at 2:30 p.m. Pacific time. Selections include paintings, drawings and prints by Western American artists; important Navajo weavings including two 19th-century chief’s wearing blankets; and bronzes and sculpture depicting cowboy and Native American subjects. Absentee and Internet bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

The expected top lot of the evening is a monumental bronze sculpture by Sheridan, Wyoming, artist Harry Jackson (1924-2011). Jackson’s Sacagawea measures 9½ feet tall by 5 feet wide. The impressive and well-modeled sculpture depicts its subject with a baby on her back, wrapped in a wearing blanket and staring determinedly out over the landscape before her. Sacagawea’s calm strength is expertly captured in Jackson’s rendering. The piece is expected to bring $100,000 to $200,000 at Moran’s Nov. 14 auction.

American West
‘Sacagawea,’ a bronze sculpture by Harry Jackson (American, 1924-2011) will be offered with a $100,00-$200,000 estimate. John Moran Auctioneers image

Additional sculptural highlights include works with traditional western subjects as well as more contemporary interpretations. Traditional cowboy artist Earl Erik Heikka (1910-1941, Great Falls, Mont.), is represented in the auction by an untitled sculpture of a cowboy on horseback followed by a lone pack horse. Executed in Heikka’s signature realistic style, the work carries a $2,000 to $3,000 estimate.

Contemporary painter Francis Livingston (b. 1953, Sun Valley, Idaho), rounds out the top offerings with an Impressionist view of a horse and blanketed rider in a snow-covered landscape (est. $1,500 to $2,500).

American West
Francis Livingston’s Impressionist painting of a blanket-clad rider on horseback in a snowy landscape is expected to bring $1,500-$2,500. John Moran Auctioneers image

A wide selection of Navajo weavings is be featured in the Art of the American West session, including two important Navajo chief’s wearing blankets. The first, a 19th-century second phase chief’s wearing blanket, has been assigned a $50,000 to $70,000 estimate. The blanket features a classic “piano key” design, and red bands dyed with cochineal rather than synthetic dyes, dating it to the third quarter of the 19th century. The second example is a bit later, and is a transitional style which falls between second and third phase chief’s wearing blankets; this piece features red bands punctuated by larger blocks of red containing vertical rows of cream and blue arrows; as with the previous example, the red yarn used in this example was also dyed with cochineal (estimate: $20,000 to $30,000).

Session two of Moran’s Nov. 14 two-session auction is the 20th Century & Contemporary Art + Design sale, which features modern and contemporary paintings and prints; early 20th century Arts & Crafts furniture; mid-century modern and contemporary furniture by American and Scandinavian makers; sculptures of various mediums; and a classic 1965 Porsche. The second session, which will start at 5 p.m., features nearly 300 lots, including a number of highly anticipated works of art by North American, Asian and Latin-American artists.

Works of fine art from North American artists include a highly anticipated abstract pen and ink drawing by New York-based artist and activist Keith Haring (1958-1990) depicting falling figures and a waving hand. Consigned from a private collection, the drawing is expected to earn $6,000 to $8,000. Peter Max’s (b. 1937 New York/Germany) Neo Man, a rainbow-hued abstract acrylic portrait of a man wearing sunglasses is expected to earn between $8,000 and $12,000.

American West
‘Neo Man’ by Peter Max has been assigned an $8,000-$12,000 estimate, and is one of a number of exceptional contemporary works of art slated for sale at Moran’s Nov. 14 auction. John Moran Auctioneers image

Classic car enthusiasts should also be excited to hear that Moran’s will offer a 1965 Porsche 356C, which has been assigned a $40,000 to $60,000 estimate and will be offered without reserve.

American West
This gorgeous 1965 Porsche 356C is offered with no reserve, and is expected to sell for between $40,000 and $60,000. John Moran Auctioneers image

For details contact John Moran Auctioneers at 626-793-1833.

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