Hindman Native American Art: The Lifetime Collection Of Forrest Fenn. Part II
September 8
Cincinnati, OH
www.hindmanauctions.com
danicafarnand@hindmanauctions.com

CINCINNATI, OHIO — Following the momentum from Part I, Hindman will present Part II of the collection of a fabled figure, Forrest Fenn, on September 8. Through a 172-lot selection of Native American art, the lifetime collection of Forrest Fenn, Part II will once again spotlight Fenn’s passion for Native American art, highlighted by his celebrated collection of strike-a-light bags and beadwork. A selection of dolls and monumentally sized pottery and baskets are also among highly anticipated lots.

Fenn was an avid collector from an early age, and went on to establish Arrowsmith-Fenn Gallery, among the first galleries in Santa Fe, with his partner Rex Arrowsmith, which eventually became Fenn Gallery. The gallery developed into an incredibly successful institution for collectors, offering a range of Native American art such as artifacts, paintings and bronze sculptures, and attracting notable names. Following Fenn’s recovery from cancer, he 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. The public and media alike became mesmerized by “Fenn’s Treasure,” and it was found shortly before Fenn’s death in 2020.

While Part I offered a glimpse at Fenn’s collection of Southern Plains beaded strike-a-light bags, Part II will shed additional light on one of the more notable collections of its kind ever assembled. A range of sizes will be offered, and standouts include a selection of Kiowa strike-a-light bags, such as one from the late Nineteenth Century featuring a geometric design on an hourglass form ($6/8,000). Additional vibrant examples include a Kiowa beaded strike-a-light bag in bold colors ($5/7,000) and a Cheyenne-Arapaho beaded strike-a-light bag featuring triangular designs ($5/7,000).

After the strong performance of Fenn’s dolls in the June sale, additional Native American dolls from the robust selection will be offered. Fenn was an expert on this category, having written Historic American Indian Dolls, which featured a number of the dolls being offered in the sale. Highlights will include a Sioux Doll, including one with a tooth necklace ($6/8,000) and one with a muslin body ($3/5,000), both from the late Nineteenth Century. Additional Apache and Cheyenne dolls are also among highlights, including standouts such as an Apache doll, with cactus kicker moccasins ($6/8,000) and a Cheyenne doll, with painted dress ($3/5,000). A Hidatsa doll, with beaded and quilled dress ($8/10,000) is another highly anticipated lot.

Impressive shields will also be among sale highlights, including a Southern painted hide shield ($40/60,000) from the late Nineteenth Century and a Pueblo painted hide shield ($15/25,000). Cheyenne beaded hide leggings from the collection of celebrated Western painter Joseph Henry Sharp ($6/8,000) are also expected to be among particularly in-demand lots.

A robust selection of pottery in extraordinary sizes will also be offered, including several Cochiti pottery storage jars.

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