Last year saw abundant success for Santa Fe Art Auction sales, including the single-owner sale of the Christopher Cardozo Edward S. Curtis Collection last June. Following its success, the auction house has added their June 24 and 25 Signature Summer Sale, in addition to their annual Signature Sale held every November. 

“We had such a strong season last year despite the pandemic, and we’ve been looking for ways to connect with international visitors who come to Santa Fe in late June and stay throughout the summer,” says Gillian Blitch, president and CEO of Santa Fe Art Auction. “We decided another signature sale, this one in the summer, would be perfect to reach out to this very active collector demographic.”Emil Bisttram (1895-1976), Man the Unknown, 1961. Oil on canvas, 48 x 32 in., signed and dated lower right: ‘BISTTRAM / 61’. Estimate: $100/200,000

The highly anticipated summer sale will feature the expansive collection of Georgia and Charles Loloma. “After Charles passed away in 1991, Georgia continued to live in Santa Fe, New Mexico, steadily pursuing their love of collecting,” Blitch explains. “When Georgia passed away this past Christmas, the auction house was asked to represent the couple’s entire art collection, including Georgia’s personal jewelry collection.”Emil Bisttram (1895-1976), The Treasure, 1950. Oil on canvas, 36 x 48 in., signed and dated lower right: ‘BISTTRAM / 50’. Estimate: $50/75,000

The collection includes around 250 katsinas, many by the esteemed katsina carver Manfred Susunkewa, along with original pieces by David Bradley, Fritz Scholder, Allan Houser, Roxanne Swentzell and Rose B. Simpson, to name just a few. Collectors will also find original drawings and ceramics by Charles Loloma, as well as his iconic jewelry designs.

“Charles Loloma was the most legendary Native jeweler of the 20th century and revolutionized the concept of Native American jewelry,” says Blitch, “Charles and Georgia were also passionate and thoughtful collectors who really understood not just Native art, but form and color, and the American Craft movement.”Charles Loloma (1921-1992), Untitled. Colored pencil on paper, 11¼ x 15 in., signed lower right: ‘loloma’. Estimate: By Request

Harry Fonseca (1946-2006), Pow Wow Club, 1980. Acrylic, glitter and reflective paper on canvas, 48 x 36 in., inscribed verso on upper stretcher bar: ‘POW WOW CLUB, © Fonseca 1980’; and signed lower right: ‘Fonseca’.  Estimate: By RequestWorks by Loloma in the sale are his colored pencil Avachhoya Kachina, (estimate on request) featuring a “corn” kachina in full regalia, and an Untitled work, depicting colorful, geometric designs. Loloma was often inspired and uplifted by his background and Hopi heritage, always maintaining a reverence and deep appreciation. His one-of-a-kind jewelry, like his Gold and Double Turquoise Ring and Gold and Opal Ring (estimates on request), will also be represented in the sale. Both rings illustrate Loloma’s expertise and affinity for jewelry creation, making them quite a rare find and significant lot.

Some of the highest estimates in the sale come from three paintings by Emil Bisttram (1895-1976). Man the Unknown, estimated between $100,000 and $200,000, “is dated from 1961 and graces the cover of Walt Wiggins’ book on Bisttram titled The Transcendental Art of Emil Bisttram,” Blitch says. “The other two paintings also appear in Wiggins’ book, including Doorway to the Ethereal Worlds (est. $30/50,000), dated 1959.” Maria Martinez (1887-1980), Blackware Seed Pot. Fired clay, 6 x 7 in., inscribed underside: ‘Maria / Poveka / 865’.  Estimate: By Request

Charles Loloma (1921-1992), Gold and Double Turquoise Ring. Estimate: By RequestBlitch also notes that the June sale will include work from some of the major New Mexico art groups such as the Taos Art Colony, the Los Cinco Pintores and the Transcendental Painting Group, which counted Bisstram as a member. The paintings featured in the sale reflect the artist’s experimentation with spirituality, philosophy and scientific traditions, and embody abstract and divine elements.

Additional works to watch for includes Shonto Begay’s acrylic pieces Untitled (Too Much Light), 2007, and Days of Hard Lines II, 2005; Harry Fonseca’s (Nisenan/Maidu, 1946-2006) mixed media Pow Wow Club, 1980; Roxanne Swentzell’s (Santa Clara) Untitled (Figure with Cola), and a Blackware Seed Pot by Maria Martinez (San Ildefonso, 1887-1980). Estimates for all are by request.

“This collection is epic in scope and quality,” says Blitch, “and we are just thrilled to be bringing it to the auction house. This sale will be live and we look forward to having collectors from around the country join us for this once in a lifetime offering.” —

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