Helm Auction expects heated bidding for Native American art July 7
Oil on canvas figural landscape by the Latvian-born German painter Johann Valters-Walter Kurau (1869-1932), in a gold gilt frame, 62½ in. x 61½ in. Estimate: $50,000-$100,000. Helm Auction image
EL CAJON, Calif. – Helms Auction Inc.’s Tribal & Native American Summer Shindig planned for Saturday, July 7, is packed with over 460 lots of Navajo weavings and Pueblo pottery; pre-Columbian artifacts; prehistoric arrowheads and other stone tools; Oceanic, African and Chinese tribal artifacts; 20th-century Native American and Mexican jewelry items and more. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.
The online-only auction will begin at 1:15 p.m. Eastern time/4:15 Pacific.
“With the many fine items throughout the catalog, we’re encouraging folks to bid early and bid often so they don’t miss out,” said Helm Auction owner Diane Harvey.
With a presale estimate of $50,000-$100,000, an original oil on canvas figural landscape by the Latvian-born German painter Johann Valters-Walter Kurau (1869-1932) is a strong candidate for top lot of the auction. The painting (above), housed in a gilt frame measuring 62½ inches by 61½ inches, was rendered circa 1900 and signed in Cyrillic (customary for Latvian artists) by Valters.
Horse headstall made in New Mexico around 1940 from leather, steel and sterling silver, with a steer design across the bridle top. Estimate: $4,000-$8,000. Helm Auction image
Also expected to attract interest are a horse headstall made in New Mexico around 1940 from leather, steel and sterling silver, with a steer design across the bridle top (est. $4,000-$8,000); and a pre-Columbian bird figure with a parrot-like face, made in Costa Rica, 15¾ inches tall on a custom stand (est. $3,000-$5,000).
Pre-Columbian bird figure with a parrot-like face, large eyes and a three-stepped feathered crest, Costa Rica, 15¾ in. on a custom heavy metal stand. Estimate: $3,000-$5,000. Helm Auction image
A circa 1930s Chemehuevi basket, produced from willow and devil’s claw and made in the Mojave Desert, measures 8 inches by 7 inches and is a museum-quality piece (est. $3,000-$6,000).
Circa 1930s Chemehuevi basket, produced from willow and devil’s claw and made in the Mojave Desert, 8 inches by 7 inches. Estimate: $3,000-$6,000. Helm Auction image
A transitional Navajo wool weaving made in New Mexico in the 1890s, boasting multiple colors and 95½ inches by 70 inches, should bring $3,500-$7,000.
Transitional Navajo weaving made of wool and dye in New Mexico in the 1890s, 95½ in x 70 in. Estimate: $3,500-$7,000. Helm Auction image
A large pre-Columbian Mezcala two-tier temple, made of granite around 500 B.C. in Guerrero, Mexico, and at 12 inches tall one of the largest seen, carries a robust estimate of $5,000-$10,000. Older still, a circa 800 B.C. Olmec male figure made of green jadeite stone, was crafted in Veracruz, Mexico, and stands 7½ inches tall. It should gavel for $2,500-$5,000.
A large early Blackfoot Indian parfleche case-cylinder, made of hide in the 1860s or 1870s, has top and bottom discs present, old natural pigments and measures 24 inches by 8 inches (est. $1,250-$2,500). A prehistoric Chumash carved whale figure made of steatite and shell inlay, 5¼ inches tall and discovered in Santa Barbara, California, should reach $500-$1,500.
Rounding out just some of the auction’s expected highlights is an antique Chinese Qing dynasty cabinet-hutch, around 140 years old, made of wood and 43¼ inches tall (est. $1,500-$3,000).
Previews are by appointment only and can be made by emailing Helm Auction, at admin@helmauction.com or by calling 619-440-0320.
