SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- Two Northwest Coast raven rattles stood out in Bonhams' $1.4 million Native American Art auction on December 8 in San Francisco. Each flew past their pre-sale estimates (of $20,000-30,000 and $20,000-40,000) to bring $62,500 and $50,000, respectively.

Also representing the success of the sale's Eskimo/Northwest Coast category was a Chilkat blanket that achieved $35,000 and a Kingnait/Cape Dorset dancing bear sculpture by Pauta Saila that brought $18,750.

Reflecting upon the success of the auction, Bonhams' Vice President and Director of the Ethnographic Art Department, Jim Haas, commented, "In today’s market, we are finding continued strong interest in top-of-the-line antique material, but contemporary works of art are finding their way more and more to the auction block, and the work of famous artists is certain to attract attention."

Pottery highlights of the sale induced strong bidding. Highlights included a Santa Clara carved blackware jar by Tammy Garcia, made in 2006, that sold for $47,500; a San Ildefonso polychrome turtle, one of a handful made by Tony Da, that took in $27,500; a San Ildefonso lidded sgraffito redware jar, also by Da, that brought $22,500; and a Hopi creamware architectural vessel, from Al Qoyawayma, that achieved $10,625.

Southwest related sculptures garnered attention in the sale, too. An Allan Houser bronze sculpture, "Mother's Blessing," realized $35,000, while a Roxanne Swentzell ceramic sculpture took in $25,000.

Weavings that sold particularly well in the auction included a rare Navajo sand-painting rug that brought $25,000; a classic Saltillo poncho that sold for $22,500; a Navajo late classic/early transitional child's blanket that took in $13,750; and a Navajo Two Grey Hills tapestry by Julia Jumbo that realized $10,000.

Among the sale's basketry highlights was a monumental Apache olla that brought $40,000 and an Apache tray that sold for $15,000.

Also of note, a Hopi bracelet by Charles Loloma and a vintage Isleta cross necklace achieved $16,250 and $10,625, respectively, from the sale's jewelry section. From the Plains/Plateau/Woodlands portion of the sale, an exceptional Sioux beaded pictoral hide achieved $17,500.