A pair of Late Classic Navajo Children's Wearing Blankets, in private hands for decades, headline the June 12 Signature American Indian Art Auction at Heritage Auction Galleries. The auction will take place at the company headquarters, 3500 Maple Avenue. They both carry an estimate at $25,000+.

"Both of these blankets date to circa 1865," said Delia E. Sullivan, Director of American Indian Art at Heritage Auction Galleries. "They are finely and tightly woven of the most desirable materials and the condition of each is nearly perfect."

The first example is stunning in natural ivory, shades of indigo blue and green, cochineal-dyed red, and synthetic-dyed pale red, with a series of five crosses through the center, flanked by stepped zigzag bands and narrow stripes and a series of serrated motifs on either end. The second example shows classic shades of natural ivory, deep indigo blue, and lac and cochineal-dyed red, with a diamond chain through the center, flanked by a series of thin stripes, alternating with zigzag bands.

A Monumental Zia Polychrome Storage jar, c. 1925, is certain to gain the attention of serious American Indian art collectors, as pots of this size are fairly rare. The present specimen is painted in black and orange over a tan slip, with a series of three broad panels, each featuring a bird enclosed within floral and feather motifs. The jar is 17-½ inches in diameter – huge by any standards. It carries an estimate of $20,000+.

One of the more spectacular lots in the Heritage June 12 auction is a Potawatomi Beaded and Fringed Hide Jacket, circa 1860, with each side having stylized floral designs, stitched in various shades of opaque and translucent glass seed beads. The arms have similar designs arranged on either side of linear zigzag elements, stitched in similar colors of larger glass seed beads with hide fringe over the whole jacket. It is expected to bring $20,000+.

"Coats and jackets made by American Indians, but following Euro-American styles, constitute an intriguing blend of the two cultures," said Sullivan. "Both groups borrowed from each other, but early on American Indians gave the objects their distinctive spin using native materials and techniques while incorporating introduced goods as well – beads in particular."

Another decidedly intriguing piece of American Indian made clothing is a Sioux Beaded and Fringed Hide Dress, c. 1885, of exceptional beauty and craftsmanship. The piece displays Sioux symbolism all throughout the fully beaded bodice, sinew sewn and lane-stitched in classic bead colors, with each side decorated with a band of cross-hatched motifs, surmounted by a panel enclosing a series of three tipis alternating with cross motifs. Given the large size of this piece, it's possible that it was created for a male seeking the higher status of an elder woman. It is estimated to bring $8,000+.