Hindman Auctions – Native American Art: The Lifetime Collection of Forrest Fenn, Part 1
June 9 10 am ET
Cincinnati
HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM
danicafarnand@hindmanauctions.com
513.871.1670

CINCINNATI, OHIO — Hindman Auctions will present Native American Art: The Lifetime Collection of Forrest Fenn on June 9. A prominent Santa Fe, N.M., dealer and collector, Fenn became internationally recognized for his hidden treasure. The collection exemplifies both a lifetime of passion for Native American art, while also demonstrating Fenn’s enthusiasm for discovery and history. Just as he enjoyed creating puzzles for others to ponder, he also found joy in uncovering and musing about his own treasures. This will be the first of two auctions offering selections from Fenn’s personal Native American art collection — the second to be presented this fall.

Fenn began collecting at a young age, exploring the plains of Texas and the mountains of Montana searching for arrowheads. After retiring from the Air Force, Fenn established Arrowsmith-Fenn Gallery, among the first galleries in Santa Fe, with his partner Rex Arrowsmith, which eventually became Fenn Gallery. The gallery became incredibly successful, offering a range of Native American art, such as artifacts, paintings and bronze sculptures, and attracting notable names. The gallery was also known for championing the then almost-forgotten Taos School of Southwestern artists. Following his recovery from cancer, Fenn went on to write a memoir titled The Thrill of the Chase in 2010 in which he mentions a treasure he hid somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. “Fenn’s Treasure” took hold with the public and media and the playful memoir became a hunt for the riches by outdoor enthusiasts and treasure-seekers alike. The treasure was found shortly before Fenn’s death in 2020.

Highlighting this 168-lot auction will be a collection of pottery and baskets, many in uniquely impressive sizes. Rare photography, dolls, beadwork and Plains material will also be offered. Top lots include a Sioux twisted pipe stem with Catlinite bowl that belonged to Sitting Bull ($60/80,000) and a Nineteenth Century Sioux grizzly bear claw necklace ($40/60,000).

“I was in awe of the impressive array of huge Pueblo storage jars lining shelves 20 feet above the floor of Fenn’s den in his Santa Fe home,” said Wes Cowan, Hindman vice chair. “Beadwork from various Plains tribes filled two entire walls, and a table displayed a collection of rare Plains dolls. The collection spilled over to the floor, under tables, and over doorways.”

The auction includes a selection of rare photographs, with the majority taken by the firm of William J. Lenny and William L. Sawyers, who operated a photo studio in Purcell, Okla., in the late 1880s and early 1890s. It is thought that Fenn acquired many of these images from the estate of famed Western painter Joseph Henry Sharp. A group of 19 significant images of the Kwahadi Comanche leader Quanah Parker ($10/15,000) who emerged as a war leader in the early 1870s and became one of the best known Native American leaders of the Nineteenth and early Twentieth Centuries will also be offered.

Fenn was noted for his collection of Pueblo pottery, and this portion of the auction is expected to draw significant interest. Among the highlights are a number of monumentally sized storage jars, including a pair of large Cochiti pottery storage jars (each $20/30,000) from 1860, measuring in 18½ inches in height by 20 inches in diameter and 18½ inches in height by 19 inches in diameter.

Fenn authored Historic American Indian Dolls, and a number of examples from this publication are offered in the sale. A rare Wasco or Yakima beaded pictorial hide doll cradle, with doll ($15/25,000), a Nineteenth Century Western Apache beaded hide doll ($5/7,000) and a pair of Cheyenne beaded hide dolls from 1890 ($8/10,000) are expected to see intense competition among bidders.

Fenn was also widely known for his collection of Southern Plains beaded strike-a-lite pouches, and the sale includes some of his most sought-after examples. Other beaded items include a selection of moccasins, knife sheaths, pouches and tobacco bags. A pair of Kiowa beaded hide leggings from the studio of Western artist Henry Balink ($5/7,000) is among the standouts in the category.

Bidding will begin at 10 am ET, and will be available in-person at Hindman’s new Cincinnati salesroom on Oaklawn Drive, via telephone and online via Hindman’s Digital Bid Room and additional online bidding platforms.

For information, 513-871-1670 or www.hindmanauctions.com.

FEATURED: Pueblo Buffalo Hide Shield Estimate: $10,000 – 20,000
INQUIRIES
Danica Farnand
Director, Senior Specialist 513.871.1670 danicafarnand@hindmanauctions.com