Native American Art

In the mid-17th century, the Navajo began sheep herding and harvesting wool with the skills they learned from Spanish settlers. The weaving skills of the Navajo craftswomen soon surpassed those of the Spanish. Until about the 1820s, the Navajo made simple striped blankets of blue, brown, and white bands. These blankets are called “first-phase chief’s blankets.” Around 1850, Navajo artisans began adding red rectangles to their blanket designs, a style known as “second-phase chief’s blankets.” These blankets almost always have 12 rectangles, grouped in pairs. An example of a second-phase blanket is highlighted in the upcoming Native American Art auction, presented by Bonhams.

Along with Navajo blankets, this auction will include Asian and decorative art. An early Hopi katsina doll is another key lot. Depicting Shalako Mana, the doll’s face has concentric rectangular eyes and a painted chin. A Chilkat blanket, an example of the Northwest coast’s weaving industry, is also among the featured items. Explore the full range of paintings, jewelry, statues, and baskets by registering to bid online on Bonhams.