Welcome to our first-ever Moondance auction with a singular focus on jewelry!
I would like to welcome you to bid often and with passion in your bids. I am Matthew Boland, Chair of Moondance 2025, and I serve as a Trustee at the Heard.
Jewelry has so many purposes; it can be our armor, it can be the object that safeguards a memory, it can be mood-changing, it can be modest, or it can be extravagant. Most importantly, jewelry is personal. We all gravitate to pieces that we love or pieces that we love for others, and I hope that everyone finds something that they connect with in this auction.
For me, jewelry is most importantly about my connection with or my experience with the maker. I want to be enveloped in their process and their storytelling. I want to understand how they translate their emotions and sensibilities into a physical object that one can wear. I have always had a love for jewelry, but when I started collecting Native American jewelry a decade ago, my appreciation grew beyond the physical beauty of the pieces, and I discovered the true value of the objects in the makers.
My friendship with Jesse Monongye was short, but it was magic. Jesse invited me to Happy’s Hamburgers for our first meeting, and almost two hours passed before we discussed a commission. Jesse was an amazing storyteller, not only verbally but through his art. In those first two hours, he shared who he was and asked me to also share with
him who I am. When we finished our first meeting, Jesse told me what he would make for me and why. Jesse would always tell me what I needed and why I needed it. These discussions had nothing to do with gold, stones, or jewelry; they were about creating an object that embodied the pieces of my life that Jesse felt my soul needed. Jesse was spiritual and his depth and his humor always entranced me.
We have many diverse and uniquely talented artists in our auction, and I invite you to select pieces that speak to you or someone you love.
Your participation is critical to the Heard’s mission to educate and connect people to the diversity and complexity of American Indian art and culture.
I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our generous donors, artists, community members, my Moondance 2025 Committee, and the team at the Heard who have made this catalogue of incredible jewelry possible.
Every single bid and purchase contributes directly to the Heard Museum.
Thank you for your generosity. Your support enables us to continue our vital work. Now, let the bidding begin!
——
Matthew Boland
Charles Loloma Ring
$9,000. Suggested Retail Value
$3,500. Starting Bid
$250. Bid Increments
Material
Coral, turquoise, lapis lazuli, silver, 14K gold
Dimensions
Ring Size: 6
Artist
Charles Loloma (Hopi, 1921–1991) was the leading contemporary American Indian jeweler whose innovative designs and incorporation of unusual stones, gems and pearls opened doors for generations of jewelers who followed. Loloma applied techniques, designs and concepts that were unique to American Indian and mainstream jewelry. By 1975, he was creating bracelets and rings with various heights of inlay stones that reflected the jagged landscapes of mesa tops near his home. His use of materials such as lapis lazuli, fossilized ivory and malachite was non-traditional and distinguished his work.
Dan Simplicio Buckle
$1,250. Suggested Retail Value
$400. Starting Bid
$50. Bid Increments
Material
Silver, turquoise, coral
Dimensions
1 1/2 x 3 in.
Artist
Dan Simplicio (Zuni, 1917–1969) created ornate jewelry that often emphasized nugget turquoise and branch coral. He learned some jewelry-making techniques from his uncle, Juan de Dios. Simplicio was one of the first jewelers to use uncut turquoise and branch coral in his work. Unlike some other jewelers who only did lapidary work, Simplicio also fabricated his own silverwork, which was heavily ornamented.
Dan Simplicio Bolo Tie
$350. Suggested Retail Value
$125. Starting Bid
$25. Bid Increments
Material
Silver, turquoise, coral
Dimensions
Ornament: 2 x 1 1/2 in.
Artist
Dan Simplicio (Zuni, 1917–1969).
Denise Wallace Pin/Pendant titled Fetish with Bracelets
Limited edition, 13/100
$6,750. Suggested Retail Value
$2,500. Starting Bid
$250. Bid Increments
Material
Fossilized ivory, silver, 14K gold
Dimensions
Pendant: 3 1/4 x 1 in.
Artist
Denise Wallace (Sugpiaq, b. 1957) creates jewelry reflective of her Sugpiaq heritage and stories she heard from her grandmother. Her figurative brooches are versatile and can serve as either brooch or pendant. Wallace incorporates fossilized ivory into her work and at times delicately incises details of facial features, clothing or other designs onto the ivory to enhance the work and pay tribute to the scrimshaw artists who worked decades before her. Wallace’s jewelry often features dancers, seals, Alaskan masks, women and children, and other scenes of Alaskan life.
Ted Charveze (Isleta Pueblo, 1936–1990) was featured in the groundbreaking 1979 issue of Arizona Highways that introduced Southwestern jewelers to a vast audience. The article noted that Charveze left a lucrative foreign-car business to learn jewelry-making techniques. He traveled from his home in Kansas to New Mexico with frequency, and later he visited Scottsdale to learn techniques from the French jeweler Pierre Touraine.
Effie Calavaza Bracelet
$800. Suggested Retail Value
$300. Starting Bid
$50. Bid Increments
Material
Bisbee and other turquoise, silver
Dimensions
Inside width: 2 3/8 in.
Opening width: 1 1/4 in.
Artist
Effie Calavaza (Zuni Pueblo, 1928–2019) learned silversmithing techniques from her husband, Juan, and began making jewelry in about 1956. She frequently incorporated snakes into her jewelry designs, appliquéing them to the silver foundation in patterns so that they appear to wrap around coral or turquoise stones.
Riley Polequaptewa Belt with Buckle
$6,000. Suggested Retail Value
$2,000. Starting Bid
$100. Bid Increments
Material
Silver overlay featuring 11 conchos of varying bear paw designs alternating with unique designs
Dimensions
Buckle and conchos: 2 x 2 1/2 in.
Artist Riley Polequaptewa (Hopi)
09
Hopi Guild Necklace with Handmade Chain and Seven Reversible Pendants
$1,500. Suggested Retail Value
$500. Starting Bid
$50. Bid Increments
Material
Silver overlay
Dimensions
Approximately 40 1/2 in. length
Artist
Hopi Guild
Allen Aragon Necklace and Earring Set
$2,800. Suggested Retail Value
$1,000. Starting Bid
$50. Bid Increments
Material
Ceramic, silver
Dimensions
Necklace: approximately 16 in. length
Earrings: 3/4 x 1 in.
Artist
Allen Aragon (Navajo, b. 1964) creates unique ceramic designs in miniature forms he sets in silver. Each piece of jewelry, whether a ring, pendant or bolo tie, is embellished with an individual design in an abstract or animal pattern. Aragon has received much recognition for his work at the Santa Fe Market, the New Mexico State Fair and the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market.
11
Luther Begay Eight-Piece Cluster Set
Including Squash Blossom Necklace, Two Bracelets, Two Rings, Collar Ornaments, Earrings and Brooch
$5,000. Suggested Retail Value
$2,000. Starting Bid
$100. Bid Increments
Material
Turquoise, silver
Dimensions
Necklace approximately: 27 in. length. Earrings: 2 in. length.
Ring sizes: 8. Brooch: 2 in. diameter. Collar ornaments: 2 ¾ x 3 in.
Bracelets inside width: 2 1/8 in. Opening width: 7/8 in.
Artist Luther Begay (Navajo).
Jonathan Nez Bracelet
$1,800. Suggested Retail Value
$750. Starting Bid
$50. Bid Increments
Material
Silver, 14K gold
Dimensions
Inside width: 2 3/8 in.
Opening width: 1 1/4 in.
Artist
Jonathan Nez (Navajo)
13
Belt Buckle
$450. Suggested Retail Value
$175. Starting Bid
$25. Bid Increments
Material
Turquoise, silver
Dimensions
Height: 2 3/4 in. Width: 3 3/4 in.
Artist
14 Larry Vazquez Necklace
$28,000. Suggested Retail Value
$10,000. Starting Bid
$1,000. Bid Increments
Material
Opal, diamond, 22K gold, 18K gold, glass beads
Dimensions
Approximately 18 in. length
Artist
Larry Vasquez (Aztec/Maya/Mescalero Apache, b. 1947) was born in Silver City, New Mexico. He is a self-taught jeweler who cuts his own stones, specializing in opals. Vasquez is also a poet who develops narratives about his individual creations.
15 Larry Vazquez Earrings
$7,500. Suggested Retail Value
$3,750. Starting Bid
$250. Bid Increments
Material
Opal, diamond, 22K gold, 18K gold, glass beads
Dimensions 2 1/2 in. length
Artist Larry Vasquez (Aztec/Maya/Mescalero Apache, b. 1947).
16 Larry Vazquez Necklace
$28,000. Suggested Retail Value
$10,000. Starting Bid
$1,000. Bid Increments
Material
Opal, diamond, 22K gold, 18K gold, glass beads
Dimensions
Approximately 18 in. length
Artist
Larry Vasquez (Aztec/Maya/Mescalero Apache, b. 1947).
Lena Boone Five-Strand Fetish Necklace and Earrings
$2,000. Suggested Retail Value
$750. Starting Bid
$50. Bid Increments
Material
Turquoise, jet, pipestone, shell, abalone, other stones.
Dimensions
Necklace: approximately 40 in. length
Provenance
Iris Apfel
Artist
Lena Boone (Zuni Pueblo, b. 1946) is the daughter of Zuni fetish carver Edna Leki and granddaughter of lapidarist and fetish carver Teddy Weahkee. Boone’s mother was thought to be the first woman fetish carver at Zuni Pueblo. Like her mother, Boone continued the tradition of carving animals in a variety of stones either as individual works or for necklaces. This necklace features 148 individually carved fetishes, and the earrings have two fetishes each.
Fred Maloney and Leon Martinez Squash Blossom Necklace and Two Bracelets
$6,500. Suggested Retail Value
$2,500. Starting Bid
$100. Bid Increments
Material
Sonoran Gold turquoise, silver
Dimensions
Necklace: approximately 25 in. length.
Bracelets inside width: 2 1/2 in. Opening width: 1 in. and 1 1/8 in.
Artist
Maloney (Navajo) and Leon Martinez (Navajo)
Fred
19
Belt Buckle
$400. Suggested Retail Value
$150. Starting Bid
$25. Bid Increments
Material
Turquoise, silver
Dimensions
Height: 21/4 in. Width: 3 1/4 in.
Artist
Unknown
Michael Na Na Ping Garcia Bracelet
$5,000. Suggested Retail Value
$2,000. Starting Bid
$100. Bid Increments
Material
Black jade, turquoise, silver
Dimensions
Inside width: 2 1/2 in.
Opening width: 1 1/4 in.
Artist
Michael Na Na Ping Garcia’s (Yaqui, b. 1953) jewelry is known for his inlay work and unique designs. He learned silversmithing techniques from his uncle as a teen, but then he attended Arizona State University, earning a degree in business. He has been a professional jeweler since 1992. His work is distinguished by a mosaic of stone inlay using turquoise, black jade, sugilite and a variety of other stones.
21
Nathaniel Nez and Rosemary Tom Needlepoint Squash Blossom Necklace with Earrings
Clarence Lee (Navajo, 1952–2011) was a self-taught artist who developed the storyteller theme for bracelets sometime around 1973. His father, Tom Lee, was a state senator in New Mexico who had little time for jewelry making, but he did have tools. Clarence used his father’s silversmithing tools, teaching himself the techniques to make jewelry. He began adding gold highlights to his silver jewelry in 1979 or 1980. Clarence collaborated on many works with his own son, Russell.
Navajo and Zuni Group of four Bowguards
$5,500. Suggested Retail Value
$2,000. Starting Bid
$100. Bid Increments
Material
Silver with Kingman, Sleeping Beauty and other turquoise
Dimensions
Vary: 4 to 5 in.
Artist
Navajo and Zuni
29
Navajo and Zuni Group of three Brooches
$2,500. Suggested Retail Value
$1,000. Starting Bid
$50. Bid Increments
Material
Silver with Morenci and other turquoise
Dimensions
Vary: 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 in.
Artist
Navajo and Zuni
30
Navajo or Zuni Bracelet
$2,750. Suggested Retail Value
$1,000. Starting Bid
$50. Bid Increments
Material
Number 8 turquoise, silver
Dimensions
Inside width: 2 1/2 in.
Opening width: 1 1/8 in.
Artist
Navajo or Zuni
Richard Begay Belt Buckle
$550. Suggested Retail Value
$200. Starting Bid
$25. Bid Increments
Material
Coral, turquoise, silver
Dimensions
Height: 2 1/8 in. Width: 3 1/4 in.
Artist
Richard Begay (Navajo)
Pat Pruitt Bolo Tie
$4,500. Suggested Retail Value
$1,500. Starting Bid
$100. Bid Increments
Material
Steel, titanium, coral, turquoise
Dimensions
Ornament: 4 x 2 in.
Artist
Although he learned traditional silver-working techniques as a teenager, Pat Pruitt’s (Laguna Pueblo/Chiricahua Apache, b. 1973) later training in mechanical engineering led him to understand the properties of stainless steel and titanium, adapting them first to bodypiercing jewelry and then to more conventional jewelry forms. Pruitt’s style is completely unique and unexpected, even when creating “traditional” pieces like bolo ties or concho belts. Pruitt is known for pushing the boundaries of wearable art and has attracted national attention for his arresting visual style. He received the Best of Show award at Santa Fe Indian Market in 2024.
Jesse Monongye’s (Hopi and Navajo, 1952–2024) intricate inlay incorporating a multitude of semi-precious stones is as distinctive as the night-sky designs of his jewelry. Monongye learned to make jewelry by observing the hand movements of his father, Preston Monongye. He also took note of Lee Yazzie, who did some of the fine inlay work for his father. He received many awards in his career, including Best of Show at the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market in 1998.
Robert and Bernice Leekya Bracelet
$9,000. Suggested Retail Value
$3,500. Starting Bid
$250. Bid Increments
Material
Turquoise, 14K gold
Dimensions
Inside width: 2 1/2 in.
Opening width: 1 1/8 in.
Artist
Robert and Bernice Leekya (Zuni, 1934–2019 and 1920–?) collaborated on the jewelry they created. Robert was taught by his father, Leekya Deyuse, who was known for his lapidary work, much of which was collected and sold by the Zuni trader C.G. Wallace. Robert and Bernice began making jewelry in about 1953 and their work was known for including turquoise nuggets.
Robert and Bernice Leekya Earrings
$2,500. Suggested Retail Value
$1,000. Starting Bid
$50. Bid Increments
Material
Turquoise, 14K gold
Dimensions 1 in. length
Artist
Robert and Bernice Leekya (Zuni, 1934–2019 and 1920–?).
36
Robert and Bernice Leekya Bracelet
$2,000. Suggested Retail Value
$1,000. Starting Bid
$50. Bid Increments
Material
Turquoise, silver
Dimensions
Inside width: 2 1/2 in.
Opening width: 1 1/4 in.
Artist
Robert and Bernice Leekya (Zuni, 1934–2019 and 1920–?).
Jason K. Brown (Penobscot Nation) is a jeweler, fashion designer and performing artist under the name Firefly. This bracelet has a miniature basket woven from brown ash in the center that is surrounded by myriad stones. Brown learned lapidary work from Jesse Monongye. The bracelet won a first-place award in the mixed-media jewelry category in 2019 at the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market. The artist notes: “Brown ash is very significant to the Wabanaki people as it is the tree they came from in their creation story. This cuff takes its style directly from the Wabanaki aesthetic and is set with stones from Maine and around the world.”
40
Multistone Ring
$175. Suggested Retail Value
$50. Starting Bid
$10. Bid Increments
Material
Sterling silver with turquoise, spiny oyster, coral, jet, and unidentified purple stone
Dimensions
Ring Size: 7 1/2
Artist
Unknown
Victoria Adams Figurative Bracelet
$2,000. Suggested Retail Value
$1,000. Starting Bid
$100. Bid Increments
Material
Silver, 14K gold
Dimensions
Inside width: 2 3/8 in.
Opening width: 1 1/8 in.
Artist
Victoria Adams (Southern Cheyenne/Arapaho, b. 1950) is known for elegant jewelry designs in silver and gold that at times include complex inlays. In addition to jewelry, Adams has also created installation works that reflect her cultural heritage. Adams has received prestigious awards for her work at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, most recently winning the Best of Class in Diverse Arts in 2024.
Mary Tom Squash Blossom Necklace and Matching Earrings
Approximately 23 in. length 42
$2,750. Suggested Retail Value
$1,000. Starting Bid
$100. Bid Increments
Material
Silver Dimensions
Artist
Mary Tom (Navajo, b. 1949) began making jewelry around 1970–80. Initially she made small items, including beads for necklaces that her husband Jack Tom made. This necklace received a First Place ribbon from the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial.
Yazzie Johnson and Gail Bird Earrings
$3,000. Suggested Retail Value
$1,200. Starting Bid
$100. Bid Increments
Material
Rocky Butte Picture Jasper, 18K gold
Dimensions
3/4 x 1/2 in.
Artist
Yazzie Johnson (Navajo, b. 1946) and Gail Bird (Laguna/Santo Domingo Pueblo, b. 1949) have collaborated on jewelry creations since the early 1970s. Their jewelry is known for the incorporation of turquoise and coral and well as unusual materials that might include jaspers, agates, Yowah opals, dinosaur bone, meteorites and a variety of other stones. Early in their careers they used brass because they liked the way it worked with the stones. Now their work is accomplished in silver and 18K gold. They have received much recognition for their work, including the Best of Show award at Santa Fe Market in 1981 and a retrospective exhibition at the Heard in 2007.
Heard Museum Critical Infrastructure Support
$500. Contribution toward a new roof and other infrastructure support needs
Infinite Quantity available
Material
Stucco Tiles
Dimensions
130,000 square feet of museum and collections space
Description
Be one of the first supporters to join the Heard Museum’s critical infrastructure team and help keep it safe and secure for the future. The Heard’s iconic tile roof is more than just a beautiful feature of the museum, it is an essential part of our collection stewardship. While it has been carefully maintained over time, sections of the roof - some of which date back to the original 1929 construction - are in need of replacement or more extensive repair. You can help us keep our collections and our patrons safe! Each $500 contribution will help to offset the cost of roof coverage and other critical repairs.
Heard Museum Free School Tours
$250. Tour for 25 students
300 Quantity available
Material
Arizona’s Future Generations
Description
The Heard is one of the only museums in the state of Arizona offering guided tours to schools - without charging admission fees! We are able to make this commitment to students and educators thanks to the generous support of numerous local foundations, Tribes, and philanthropists who offset the cost of field trip admissions. Help us to ensure this vital program continues to thrive! Each $250 contribution will support as many as 25 students and educators who visit the Heard during the 2025-2026 school year.
The Heard Museum is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, tax ID #86-0107517. Contributions to Moondance support the programs, exhibitions, and activities of the Heard Museum.
Auction photography courtesy of Craig Smith, with gratitude.
