We bought 200 pieces of artisan Native American Indian jewelry. The North Carolina heir to the Ann Flintom Stewman lifelong collection drove to our store after a lengthy telephone interview. The family first donated a large amount to the Wheelright Museum in Santa Fe. After family members each chose a few pieces, we bought the rest for a 6-figure sum. So-called “Indian jewelry” has shifted over the years from low grade silver or copper
with crudely cut turquoise made with crude tools to finely detailed, inlaid with coral and diamonds in fine 14k or 18k gold.
Many, like those by Orville Tsinnie, Harvey Begay and Charles Loloma — revered for their masterful work — will bring double to quintuple the gold value (some pieces were heavy with gold but for impossibly tiny wrists, and were unsigned, so they will be melted for their gold).
While gold weight is a facet of value, the heir brought these to us because of our nationally known affection for and success at selling these mini masterpieces for more than the gold value. We understand the nuances of the market and have a huge following for the same. Space limitations prevent us from sharing more than just a few, but most will be on display at our stores in St. Pete and Hyde Park.
Please note, we buy ALL Native American Indian and even Mexican jewelry; we can tell the good from the mundane and will sort them out for you and pay you accordingly. (Especially Hopi Loloma pieces. He revolutionized Native American jewelry with his groundbreaking use of gold, lapis, coral, and exotic inlay in multi-layered design.) We also buy Native American leather goods, but not arrowheads.
Three former Sothebyscom associates and three art historians
on staff. We are international buyers of estate jewelry, fine arts
and silver. We will buy for cash or consign to auction any
of your rare, valuable watches, antiques, coins or collectibles.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
