Hello and happy spring! A very exciting spring series is on its way to you this spring, thanks to several outstanding collections we obtained (with exceptional vintage pieces) and our buying trips in Arizona and New Mexico .
JEWELRY
One of our dearest friends and long time customers is selling her entire collection. We have to be very selective about taking on any collections (and we rarely do), and this one passes muster for sure! She has a great eye for jewelry, kachina, pottery and art, and you will not want to miss this collection! Highlights include a large, early Sammy and Ester Guardian pendant, a beautiful old Zuni needle point squash blossom necklace, a five stone Bisbee turquoise bracelet and a 14kt gold and Lone Mountain turquoise nugget necklace. There is also a very collectible old heishe and nugget necklace with matching jaclaws. The turquoise appears to be Morenci, Bisbee and possibly Lone Mountain. There are also pendants by Cheryl Wadsworth, Trini and Dawn Lucas, Tom Jim and Alton Bedonie. Other bracelets include works by Steve LaRance, Alvin Tso, Alvin and Lula Begay, Kee Yazzie, Bruce Hodgins, Darryl Becenti, Trini Lucas, Brian Kagenvema and Guy Josytewa. This collection also contains rings, earrings and bolo ties from many of the above mentioned artists.
We also picked up another excellent collection of great men’s jewelry that includes belt buckles by Tom Jim, Marco Begaye and Melvin Perry and two large bracelets by Tom Jim and Tommy Singer. Included is a rare sugilite, opal and diamond ring in 14kt gold by Ray Tracy. It is a size 11 – in case you are wondering – so act quickly if this is on your “wants” list.
We have a great selection of new jewelry from Navajo, Zuni, Santo Domingo and Hopi artists. On our most recent buying trip we picked up a beautiful bracelet by Kerry Begay (Steven Begay’s widow) and a short three-panel style necklace by James Bahe as well as two sets of his hard-to-find sterling silver ladies watch tips. Also, Jonathan Nez’s wife Lorena designed and made some beautiful silver hair barrettes, in the same elegant style of Jonathan’s work. I purchased three, but my wife sent me back to buy more. While barrettes can be a slow seller for us, she feels these are so fabulous that you ladies who have been looking for a unique (and stunning) barrette (just like her!) will appreciate the rare opportunity to add one of these beautiful pieces to your “hair jewelry” collection.
In the neckwear department, we have several different styles of silver collars by Navajo artist Elaine Tahe, and a shipment of new sterling silver chains from Italy that we had been waiting for finally arrived. This makes for a wide variety of neckwear from which to choose. We find that having a long chain, shorter chain, and at least one collar will allow you to wear your favorite pieces with an infinite number of outfits and styles.
Alton Bedonie made an incredible bracelet with very high-grade spider web Kingman turquoise. This is a “WOW” bracelet for sure. Alton also created a gorgeous bolo tie with one of the nicest pieces of boulder turquoise that I have seen. The stone reminds me of a Bev Doolittle painting. Due to many requests, we had him make large men’s rings in the 14 through 16 size range as well. We also purchased some new turquoise back in August and gave some of the stones to Alton to create masterpieces with. The turquoise is from Kazakhstan and is called Golden Hill. It looks like Dry Creek but more in a blue color – it is hard, untreated, natural, and it is gorgeous. So far, Alton made five ladies rings and a pair of earrings with these stones. We hope to acquire more of this fabulous stone in the future. Mary Tom made a beautiful necklace with a huge piece of Sky Horse turquoise and three strands of burnished beads. One artist who we haven’t seen in a while (Albert Nells) is back on the scene. We purchased several of his earrings, two bracelets, a buckle, and a bolo tie. Albert’s work can be seen in “Silver and Stone” by Mark Bahti as well as many other books on Native American jewelry.
Other artists whose work will be represented at the show are: Vernon Haskie, Bruce Hodgins Brian Clark, Al Nez, Carl and Irene Clark, Jack Tom, Kee Yazzie, Nelson Begay, Victor Coochwytewa, Alex Sanchez, Patty and Raylan Edaakie, Veronica Benally, Greg Naseyoma, Darrell Cadman, Steve Arviso, Sunshine Reeves, Ruddell and Nancy Laconsello, Smoky Gchachu, Delbert Gordon, Harlan Coonsis, Wilbert Vandever, Chris Nieto, Delbert Crespin, Lupe Lavato and many more.
FETISHES & CARVINGS
We have a large selection of Zuni animal fetishes on hand. Many of these carvings are by well known, award winning artists and are crafted from an assortment of stones and organic material. Marvin Toya, from the Jemez Pueblo carved several mid-size pieces that measure in the six to eight inch range and some smaller inexpensive gift sized ones, including eagles, owls, corn maidens and others. A must-see is Florentine Martinez’s newest exquisitely carved turquoise sculpture featuring Avanyu/Kolowisi (water serpent) over an incredibly detailed pueblo. We have several other carvings by Florentine including one of the coolest chameleon lizards we have ever seen. Florentine is a multi-award winning Zuni carver, and this masterpiece shows why!
POTTERY & KACHINAS
Our kachina selection is strong with an inventory of Hopi carvings. Work from award winning artists, Laurence Dallas, Keith Torres, Raymond Chee, Marlin Pinto and Sterling McRae are on hand. We have a great pair Martha Appleleaf and Carmelita Dunlap, black on black feather pattern pots as well as a gorgeous cream on red plate by Helen Gutierrez, and several much sought-after pots from Bob Lansing. Just in are three Maria Martinez pots from a collection as well as pieces by Phyllis and Marlene Hemlock and Bob Lansing. This collection also contains several great miniature pots and a miniature storyteller.
SANDPAINTINGS, RUGS & ART
We have a great selection of medium and small sandpaintings as well as a good collection of sandpainting boxes (great for gifts). There are several larger sandpaintings as well as some nice pieces of western art originals. All of our sandpaintings are completely handmade, matted, and framed by Navajo artists. There will be something in everyone’s price range, so be sure to stop by and see us!
See you at the show!
Eric and Matt
In Memory of our uncle Wayne Anderson
May 22, 1937 – January 6, 2018
Wayne was the middle sibling of Lee and Arvid Anderson, who together built Americana Indian Shows. It started around 1968 with Wayne, who lived in Arizona, sending Native American jewelry and rugs to his brother Lee in Virginia, who at the time was stationed at the Pentagon. Lee would sell the pieces at local coin shows and flea markets on the weekends and Wayne would in turn send him more. What started as a small flea-market enterprise grew to a large, first-class gallery that continues to travel the country today. The three brothers could never have imagined that a year spent at their uncle’s trading post in Sanders, Arizona in 1947 during their youth would inspire them in such a way that would have such a dramatic influence on so many people later in life.
The more they learned about southwest Native American culture, the more the brothers wanted to share this knowledge with others. Wayne had a great memory for the culture and history of the southwest and he loved to tell stories. His parents were teachers as were many past relatives, so it was natural that Wayne loved telling stories and educating folks about the history and arts of the southwest. A fascinating story Wayne told us with regard to our own family history is that our grandmother (his mom) was born in Cananea, Mexico. Her family fled to Arizona when Pancho Villa ran most of the American families out of northern Mexico. They settled in Morenci where she met Cecil Anderson. So in a strange twist of fate, the last few generations of Arizona Anderson’s owe their existence to Pancho Villa!
Wayne Anderson was born on May 22, 1937 in Morenci, Arizona to Cecil & Mildred Anderson. He grew up in Phoenix and attended the University of Arizona where he studied biology and wildlife management. After getting his degree, he began work as an officer with Arizona Game and Fish where he met his wife Connie. They moved to Flagstaff where they raised their family and Wayne continued his work with AZG&F. Wayne was passionate about his work, and spent his his entire career with the Arizona Game & Fish department. He was a mentor and friend to many in the wildlife community. After his retirement, he was able to work full time with his brothers Lee and Arvid conducting Americana Indian Shows sales across the nation and running galleries in Flagstaff and Sedona. Wayne passed away January 6, 2018 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He is survived by two beautiful children, his wife of 50 years and four grandchildren.
We miss you so much, Wayne. Rest in peace.