Jewelry and Fine Arts by Modern Native American Artists Come to Sale with Bonhams

A Hopi Native American, Charles Loloma was an influential artist renowned for his jewelry, painting, ceramics and pottery. He used materials such as gold, gemstones, sugilite, pearls, and diamonds, unlike other Southwestern Native jewelers who worked only with turquoise and silver. Loloma was greatly inspired by various cultures, particularly the Egyptians. An 18-karat gold “Katsina” mosaic cuff bracelet by Charles Loloma is a key highlight of the upcoming auction, presented by Bonhams. It features a tapering form with inlaid mosaic, lapis lazuli, coral, and Lone Mountain turquoise, with gold spacers. It is stamped on the interior with a maker’s mark. Another Loloma lot of interest is an 18-karat gold mosaic bracelet also designed in a tapering shape with inlaid coral, lapis lazuli, turquoise, and gold spacers. 

An oil on canvas painting by a Navajo contemporary artist, Tony Abeyta, leads the fine arts listing. Titled The Golden Canyon, the painting depicts a Neo-Modernist landscape in Abeyta’s Abstract Expressionist style. He uses bold hues for representing the earth, sky, and light. Abeyta was commissioned to make an original image for the National Museum of the American Indian’s inauguration. Visit Bonhams for more information on each of these lots and to register to bid in the upcoming Modern Native American Art and Jewelry sale.