Why Pre-Columbian Art and Plains Beadwork Are Hot at Auction
When Heritage Auctions brought the gavel down on September 13 at the William and Joey Ridenour Ethnographic Art, Western Memorabilia & Antique Firearms Signature® Auction, serious collectors of Pre-Columbian art and Native American artifacts were watching closely. It proved no ordinary sale: the auction showcased decades of collecting by a couple with a museum-level eye and presented categories of objects that rarely appear together in such volume or quality.
With standout lots surpassing estimates and spirited bidding across multiple categories, the sale confirmed the continued strength of the market for Pre-Columbian art and Western memorabilia.
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Monumental Figures from West Mexico
Large ceramic figures from Jalisco, Nayarit, and Chinesco cultures also stand out. Monumental examples over 20 inches high are rare survivors, often found in tombs and associated with ancestor veneration. Their bold forms and lifelike gestures appeal to both ethnographic specialists and contemporary art collectors who see them as precursors to modern sculptural expression.
The market has seen steady demand for these figures, with the best examples fetching in the $20,000–$50,000 range, depending on condition, provenance, and uniqueness.
A Monumental Jalisco Seated Figure, West Mexico, c. 250 BC – 250 AD
Estimated at $8,000–$12,000, this rare Jalisco ceramic figure drew attention for its impressive 22 ½-inch height, animated posture, and expressive face — but ultimately went unsold at auction.
Crafted from hollow earthenware with burnished cream and red slips, the figure sits with feet touching, right hand resting on a raised knee, and holds to his mouth an object resembling food, its wide end dotted with bumps. He wears tight shorts with a triangular back flap, arm and leg bands, and a striking headdress of crossed headbands supporting a wide flange. Scarification bumps decorate his hunched shoulders, and his large features — long nose, open mouth with visible teeth, and low-set ears — give him a lively, almost theatrical presence.
The figure survives in good condition, having been reassembled from seven large original sections with repairs at the neck, hips, shorts, wrist, and knee.
Despite its rarity and scale, this piece passed without a winning bid — suggesting either that the estimate may have overshot the current market, or that it awaits the right collector with an eye for monumental West Mexican ceramics.
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A Superb Nayarit Couple, Ixtlan del Rio, West Mexico, c. 250 BC – 250 AD
Sold September 13, 2025 for $9,375 This engaging matched pair achieved a strong mid-estimate result, reflecting both their rarity and remarkable preservation. Crafted from hollow pink-orange earthenware with white and black pigments, the figures sit cross-legged, their expressions animated and companionable.
The male figure holds a small bowl in his right hand and a mace in his left, dressed in tight pants with a pointed flap and a striped shirt. His partner wears a striped wrap-skirt, tasseled armbands, and balances a bowl atop her head. Both display elaborate adornments — stacked necklaces, earrings, nose ornaments, and headbands — with black-painted facial markings adding emphasis.
Measuring 17 ½ and 19 inches high, the couple remains in excellent, intact condition with no visible repairs, only scattered mineral deposits attesting to their antiquity. Their sculptural presence and complementary attire made them a standout lot, underscoring the continued demand for fine West Mexican ceramics in today’s market.
Here’s a breakdown comparing that $9,375 result with recent sales of similar Nayarit / West Mexico matched pairs or figures — to help show where it stands in the market:
Comparable Sales & What They Tell Us
| Comparable Lot | Sale Details | Sale Price / Context | Comparisons & Market Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonhams – A Pair of Nayarit Figures (elderly couple) | Ixtlán-style pair, ~150 BC-250 AD; height ~17½-18″ | US$30,000 (include premium) in 2007 Bonhams | Significantly higher than $9,375. Probably driven by a better-known provenance, strong condition, and perhaps higher collector demand in past cycles. Shows that top-tier matched pairs can command very strong prices. |
| Sotheby’s – Large Nayarit Seated Couple | A seated couple in the Ixtlán del Rio style; figures of considerable stature and stylistic attributes Sothebys.com | (Estimate not always published; large works like this tend to have estimates in high tens of thousands) | Indicates demand for well-made, visually bold pairs. Big pieces get premium values. |
| Small Nayarit Sets & Single Figures | Lots such as two Nayarit figures plus a Colima, or individual seated figures with moderate size (~10-12″) with some pigment remaining, etc. Invaluable+2marks4antiques.com+2 | Prices in these cases have been much lower — in the low thousands or even under US$1,000 for smaller, less elaborate or more damaged pieces. | Demonstrates the spectrum: size, completeness, condition, and uniqueness push prices upward sharply. Many Nayarit figures trade in the modest range unless exceptional. |
Where the $9,375 Sale Sits
- The $9,375 for the Ridenour Nayarit couple puts them solidly above the modest smaller-figure trade, but well below big “trophy” pairs like those sold by Bonhams and Sotheby’s.
- Given that the Ridenour couple are in excellent, intact condition, with good size (17½″ & 19″), full complement of adornments, matching pair status, etc., their result suggests the market currently assigns strong value, but may be more conservative than in years with hotter competition.
- Factors likely affecting price relative to higher comparables include provenance, rarity of matching pairs, auction house reach, and perhaps the number of bidders interested in West Mexican ceramics at that moment.
Market Trend Takeaways
- Matching paired figures command premium. The more symmetry, complementary styling, and completeness the pair, the more likely to reach into high price tiers.
- Size matters, but condition matters even more. Even a large figure with damage or restoration tends to fetch less than a smaller, perfect example. The Ridenour couple benefitted from excellent condition, contributing to the solid result.
- Provenance and exhibition history still move the needle. Auction lots with strong history, previous museum or collection appearances, or known lineage tend to get higher bids.
- Collector sentiment fluctuates. Nayarit and Ixtlán pieces are receiving renewed interest as part of the broader trend to collect Pre-Columbian ceramics with personality and decorative detail. But the pool of buyers for large, matched pairs is still narrower than for more modest pieces, which tempers how high prices go if conditions are less than perfect.
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An Aztec Figure of Chalchiuhtlicue, Mexico, c. 1300–1450 AD
Sold September 13, 2025 for $6,250 Carved from dense basalt and finely pecked and polished, this figure represents Chalchiuhtlicue, the Aztec goddess of water, fertility, and childbirth. She is shown kneeling, hands resting neatly on her knees, adorned with cuff bracelets, long tasseled ear ornaments, and a distinctive headdress of twin bands crowned with dimpled, semi-spherical segments. Two long braids flow down her back, emphasizing her divine presence.
Measuring 12 ½ inches high, the sculpture survives in good condition, with only a notable chip to the side of her right hand. Despite the minor loss, the figure’s strong iconography and workmanship ensured competitive bidding, with the final hammer price of $6,250 reflecting steady demand for Aztec stone carvings of named deities.
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Native North America: Pottery and Beadwork
The Ridenour sale also showcases Plains Indian beadwork and Anasazi black-on-white pottery, including a single lot of 16 ladles displayed on a custom stand — an instant collection in itself. Beadwork remains accessible, often trading in the low to mid-thousands, but top-quality or historically linked pieces can climb higher. Pottery, especially when sold in groups, offers both aesthetic appeal and diversification for collectors.
Post-contact Native American pottery, from Hopi to San Ildefonso, also holds steady value, with certain named artists now commanding prices comparable to early material. The crossover appeal to contemporary art collectors has bolstered this market in recent years.
A Colossal Apache Pictorial Coiled Storage Basket, c. 1920
Passed at auction This monumental basket, woven of willow and devil’s claw, featured bold bands of zigzag motifs, the innermost decorated with human figures and quadrupeds, echoed again on the shoulder. Standing 35 inches high and offered with a custom metal stand, it carried an estimate of $12,000–$18,000. Despite its scale and intricate pictorial design, the lot did not find a buyer on the day.
In the broader market, large Apache pictorial baskets can vary widely in performance. Exceptional examples with strong provenance or especially vivid figural decoration have sold for $15,000–$25,000 at major houses, while more modestly decorated or heavily restored pieces sometimes struggle to reach low estimates. The pass here may reflect the cautious bidding climate for high-value Native American basketry, where collectors are increasingly selective about condition, rarity of imagery, and exhibition history.
A Large Sikyatki Polychrome Seed Jar, c. 1400–1625 AD
Sold September 13, 2025 for $13,750 This impressive Sikyatki seed jar, measuring 13 ¾ inches in diameter, features a painted band of bold geometric motifs in red and black beneath the shoulder. An old collection label on the base identifies it as part of the historic Volz Collection, adding provenance weight to its appeal.
Sikyatki ceramics, produced in northeastern Arizona between the 15th and early 17th centuries, are among the most celebrated Pueblo pottery traditions, admired for their fine clay, polished surfaces, and striking polychrome designs. The strong result of $13,750 reflects both the jar’s condition and its connection to an important early collection, underscoring continued demand for large, well-documented examples of this rare tradition.
Recent Sikyatki Jar Comparables
| Comparable Sale | Description | Price / Estimate | What Makes It Comparable / Different |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonhams, San Francisco, June 2016 — A Sikyatki Polychrome Jar | Shoulder decorated with repeated bird-imagery & a three-striped neck band; height ~7¾ in, diameter ~15 in. Bonhams | US$56,250 (including premium) Bonhams | Larger diameter, bold iconography, possibly stronger provenance. Much higher result, showing peak value territory. |
| Heritage Auctions, June 13, 2025 — Sikyatki Polychrome Jar | Diameter ~15 in; estimate $6,000–$8,000. Heritage Auctions | Estimate only (no published hammer in source) ~$6,000–$8,000 range Heritage Auctions | Same culture and comparable size, but lacked published sale price in that listing. Lower estimated value points to how condition/provenance affect final prices. |
| Arte Primitivo (Dec 2020) — Sikyatki Polychrome Wide-Mouthed Jar | Wide mouth, shallow shoulder; about 4-¼ in high, ~10-¾ in wide. Heavily repaired. Arte Primitivo | US$750 hammer (low compared to others) Arte Primitivo | Much smaller size, significant restoration, weaker condition, which pulls value down considerably. |
What This Suggests About the $13,750 Result
- The $13,750 achieved for the large seed jar sits solidly above mid-market estimates for Sikyatki pieces of comparable size, especially when they lack dramatic iconography or superior provenance.
- It is well below the extreme high end (e.g. the Bonhams bird motif jar at ~$56,000) but significantly higher than lots with modest decoration or condition issues.
- The result indicates that when a Sikyatki jar is large, well-decorated, in good condition, and ideally with known provenance or connection to historic collections, the market still supports five-figure outcomes.
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Gold Objects: Power, Ritual, and Status
The market for Pre-Columbian gold has been strong for decades, with prices reflecting both intrinsic value of material and historical importance. Objects with a documented provenance, such as those from the Ridenour collection, add a premium in today’s cautious climate.
A Tairona Sheet Gold Mask with Eye Dangles, Colombia, c. 700–1400 AD
Sold September 13, 2025 for $16,250 Fashioned from cut sheet gold, this extraordinary maskette presents a face framed by a semi-circular headband and crowned with twin funnels tied at the back. From the crown hang a pair of dangling eyes with circular bead pupils and feather-like drops, while the lower edge features a prominent tongue-shaped pendant flanked by smaller bell-form dangles. Gold threads and beading trim the crown, adding both delicacy and grandeur. Despite its fragile construction and age, the piece survives in remarkably good condition.
Measuring 5 ½ inches wide, the maskette reflects the virtuosity of the Tairona goldsmiths of Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, who produced some of the most elaborate and surreal goldwork of the ancient Americas. Gold was central to Tairona ritual life, particularly among the shamanic elite. A mask such as this, with suspended eyes floating above its face, would have been visually hypnotic in ceremony, transforming its wearer—or a statue it adorned—into a semi-divine being.
XRF testing confirmed a composition of 92% gold (21–22 karat) with traces of copper (6%) and silver (2%), underscoring its authenticity and high quality.
The $16,250 result reflects steady collector demand for Pre-Columbian goldwork, especially pieces with unusual iconography. Tairona gold objects of this complexity are rare on the market, and their combination of spiritual symbolism, technical mastery, and fragile survival makes them highly coveted in both private collections and institutional holdings.
Here are some recent comparables for Tairona/Quimbaya (and related Pre‐Columbian gold) maskettes, pendants, and ornamental pieces — useful for putting the $16,250 result of the Eye-Dangle maskette into perspective:
Comparable Gold Objects & Auction Results
| Item | Description / Date | Price / Estimate | Notes & Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Pre-Columbian Tairona culture gold masked figure pendant” | 2.74″ (H) × 2.19″ (W) × 0.97″ (D); 62.8 grams; mixed alloy gold/copper etc. | Estimate ~$5,500–$6,500. auctions.finesf.com | Smaller size, heavier weight in alloy, less ornate (no floating eyes or multiple dangles). Shows that well-made but simpler pieces go for significantly less. |
| “A Superb Quimbaya Gold Pendant, Cauca Valley, Colombia, c. 300-600 AD” | Maskette / face pendant, classic Quimbaya style, gold alloy (tumbaga), slender features. fineart.ha.com | Sold (date: June 2022) — exact hammer not disclosed publicly in the text I saw, but it was positioned as a top-tier Quimbaya gold piece. fineart.ha.com | Because Quimbaya goldwork has very high prestige, comparably stylish maskettes tend to pull stronger demand. The Tairona mask with its floating/dangling eye elements is more elaborate than many such pendant-maskettes. |
| Tairona/Quimbaya gold pectoral, Quimbaya region, c. 500-1000 AD | Pectoral (large decorative chest ornament) of gold, Colombia. Sothebys.com | Estimated USD $5,000-$7,000 at Sotheby’s. Sothebys.com | Pectorals tend to be larger, sometimes less detailed than maskettes; their value is strong but usually less than the most sculpturally complex face masks. |
| Smaller Tairona pieces / market listings | Pendants, nose rings, amulets in gold or high-karat gold/copper alloys, smaller scale, simpler design. | Many priced in the low thousands; some pieces listed for a few thousand USD depending on weight, condition, provenance. (Not always fully verified auction outcomes.) | These show the baseline or entry level of the market for Tairona gold objects. The more elaborate, ritual, or large items go much higher. |
What These Comparables Suggest
- The $16,250 result for the Tairona Sheet Gold Mask with Eye Dangles is above typical mid-market numbers for smaller golden elements (pendants, simpler maskettes) of comparable cultures. It reflects the premium for complexity: floating/dangling eyes, multiple adornments, dramatic crown, ornamental fringe etc.
- Size, condition, elemental complexity (metal purity, design features), and provenance are really the differentiating factors. Where simpler pendants trade for a few thousand, a highly sculptural, ritual-rich maskette pushes toward the high five figures.
- Also, “named features” (like eyes dangling above the face, crown with funnels, fine adornments) tend to attract buyers willing to pay more than standard-issue gold objects that lack that extra visual drama.
Why These Objects Are Collectible
- Scarcity – Many of these categories (cylinder vases, Valdivia figures, large West Mexican ceramics) survive in small numbers outside museums.
- Cultural significance – Each piece connects to ritual, mythology, or identity, giving it narrative power beyond aesthetics.
- Market stability – Pre-Columbian art and Native American artifacts have long auction records, with values holding or increasing steadily, especially for high-quality, well-provenanced examples.
- Institutional interest – Museums continue to acquire in these categories, creating upward competition for the finest objects.
A Sale for Collectors and Investors
By the auction’s end, the Ridenour Collection had achieved impressive results, with highlights like the Tairona gold maskette, the Nayarit couple, and several Custer-related artifacts drawing especially competitive bidding.
The mix of Pre-Columbian masterpieces, Native American art, and Western memorabilia appealed to both seasoned collectors and new buyers, underscoring the enduring demand for objects that combine historical resonance with aesthetic power.
For Heritage, and for the market at large, the sale reinforced the vitality of these categories — proving that pieces with strong provenance and storytelling value remain as collectible as ever.
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