Bonhams Modern Native American Art & Jewelry Auction Realizes $988,467

Bonhams concluded its Modern Native American Art & Jewelry auction in a sale that closed on 27 August 2026. The auction realized $988,467^[1] in total sales, with 139 of 175 lots sold, representing a 79.4% sell-through^[1] rate. The auction showcased a wide variety of fine jewelry, pottery, and paintings, reflecting the diverse artistic traditions and modern innovations of Native American creators.

Among the prominent jewelry offerings were several highly crafted pieces by Jesse Monongya, a Diné (Navajo)/Hopi artist. Monongya's work is characterized by complex, multi-stone inlay designs and precise metalwork. A key highlight of the sale was a gold and multi-stone bear-motif necklace, which features a 20-strand coral necklace strung with turquoise, lapis, and various charms, including a turtle, hummingbird, and arrows. The necklace suspends a large, reversible mosaic-inlaid bear pendant. One face of this pendant is worked with a night sky, potted plant, and dragonflies, while the other face features a sunburst and katsina face design. According to the auction house, X-ray fluorescence testing was used to verify the gold purity of the piece, showing 18k gold for the pendant and 14k gold for the clasp, beads, and charms.

Another significant jewelry piece by Monongya presented in the sale was the "King Charles" cuff bracelet and matching earrings. This suite is crafted from gold set with turquoise, coral, sugilite, opal, lapis, and diamonds, including pear-shaped and round diamonds. X-ray fluorescence testing on these items also confirmed 18k gold purity for the main structures, with the earclips testing as 14k gold. Additionally, a separate Jesse Monongya gold and multi-stone jewelry suite featured a heavy cuff bracelet with textured terminals depicting raised eagle and moon-and-star motifs, alongside a raised badger paw design with an inlaid palm on the interior. This suite also included a ring of trapezoidal outline and a pair of square-shaped ear clips, all decorated with a cobblestone-style inlay of turquoise, lapis, coral, sugilite, and opal.

In the fine art category, the sale featured the painting "Balloon Fiesta" by John Nieto, an artist of Hispanic, Mescalero Apache, and Diné (Navajo) heritage. This acrylic on canvas work was commissioned by the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta organization to celebrate its anniversary. The iconic image was subsequently reproduced as limited edition prints, posters, and promotional items for the mass market. The original painting, which was on extended loan prior to the auction, came from the Private Collection of John E. Lawler.

The recorded sale demonstrates the breadth of modern and contemporary Native American art, spanning from the intricate, tested gold alloys of Jesse Monongya's jewelry to the bold acrylic canvases of John Nieto and the distinctive pottery of Christine Nofchissey McHorse. The successful transaction of these works highlights the ongoing interest in both wearable art and fine painting within this specialized collecting category.