Case Studies: 16 Hidden Gems in the Gallery Cases

When you visit the Gallery, you can’t miss the many masterpieces on the walls and pedestals.  However, the Gallery’s display cases hold an ever-changing array of treasures you don’t want to miss. 

Today we’re taking you behind the glass to get a closer look at some of the magical finds inside.

Robert Carr - Ignacio, ed. Of 25, bronze, 5 ¼ x 5 ½ x 3 ¾ in. - $2,200

Meet Ignacio, Robert Carr’s fastidious burro bearing a heavy load with a heavier dose of cuteness. Usually found working in the cases, Ignacio is an ideal coworker and companion for any space.

Angela Coriz Turquoise Drop Earrings - $250

Make a statement without saying a thing in these unspeakably gorgeous earrings by jeweler Angela Coriz.

Herb Mignery - The Gatekeeper, Ed. of 15, bronze, 9 ½ x 6 ½ x 6 ½ in. - $2,200

A legend in Western art, Herb Mignery’s work keeps the mystique of the West alive in nostalgic pieces such as The Gatekeeper. While such imagery evokes memories of times gone by, the work’s rugged beauty isn’t going anywhere.

1914 Beaded Iroquois Whimsy - $450

Through the 19th and early 20th centuries, demand grew for “Indian curios” alongside a surge in tourism to areas around Niagara Falls. The local tribes of the Iroquois Federation (the Mohawk, Seneca, Tuscarora, Oneida, Cayuga and Onondaga) were skilled in embroidery and capitalized on the demand by creating beaded whimsies to sell to tourists. They were made in a variety of shapes, including pin-cushions, boots, photo frames, and match holders as seen above.

(More Iroquois Whimsy Shapes & Designs Available)

JK Inson - Flower Vendor, Ed. of 50, bronze, 5 x 4 ¾ x 4 ¼ in. - $350

Perhaps you’ve seen her in your travels or passed her on the street in your town— a flower vendor selling her wares. Hers is just one story in a sea of crossing paths, here so beautifully elevated by Inson into a piece of art that demands consideration.

Glenna Goodacre - Pueblo Girl, Ed. of 50, bronze, 11 x 9 ⅜ in.  - $4,200

Glenna Goodacre is most famous for creating the Sacagawea dollar design, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the Irish Memorial in Philadelphia. Pueblo Girl is one Goodacre piece you can call your own, encapsulating the quintessential qualities of tenderness and expression that define Goodacre’s work.

Kachina Doll, Hopi, 11 in. - $550

Kachina dolls are a long-standing religious tradition of many Native peoples in the Southwest, including the Hopi, Zuni, Tewa, Acoma, and Laguna Pueblos. Made from cottonwood, Kachina can represent people, animals, and both benevolent and mischievous mythical figures. They are not simply “dolls”, but are believed to be intermediaries between the human and spirit world.

Priscilla Hoback - Stoneware Pitcher, 8” x 6-1/2” - $250

Priscilla Hoback was a globally renowned potter who encapsulated her love of New Mexico in her pieces by using native clay, earth, and pigments. Like on this pitcher, Hoback’s original use of glazes and natural forms adds to the work’s organic beauty.

Irene Ortega Yates - Ortega Private Chapel Chimayó, paint/wood, 13 x 10 x 3 ½ in. - $400

The awe-inspiring beauty of a chapel retablo, lovingly recreated in miniature form by artist Irene Yates, is almost too adorable to behold. But you can behold it every day as part of your collection—and conversation starter—for years to come.

W.H.D. Koerner - Indian at Green River Rendezvous, charcoal/watercolor, 8 x 6 in. - $3,200

Born in Germany and raised in Iowa, W.H.D. Koerner earned money for art school by selling paintings and illustrations. He soon found himself under the tutelage of Howard Pyle alongside N.C. Wyeth and Harvey Dunn. Today, Koerner is known for influencing the generation’s illustrative style, marked by heroic lighting and clean, strong composition.

Juanita Fragua - Jemez Wedding Vase, 13 x 7 ½ in. - $1,800

With two spouts joined by a middle handle, wedding vases symbolize the union of two people. The vessel can be filled with water, tea, or any liquid, and the couple takes turns drinking out of the respective spouts. This tradition is still observed in many Native marriage ceremonies.

Cynthia Inson  - Rio Chama, oil on board, 6 x 12 in. - $925

With bold, expressive brushstrokes and a dramatic palette, Cynthia Inson sets a sweeping scene overlooking the Rio Chama. The artist frequently paints in plein air, lending her work an authentic, impressionistic style.

Michael Naranjo - Sitting Buffalo (Left), bronze, 2 ¾ x 3 ¼ x 2 in. - $1,200
Michael Naranjo - Little Buffalo (Right), bronze, 3 x 3 x 2 in. - $1,200

There is a world of beauty and joy in the simplicity of these small bison. Perhaps it is something in their composition. Or perhaps there is just some special magic in the work of Michael Naranjo.

Monica Sosaya Halford - Nuestra Senda de Guadalupe (2009), wood/paint, 14 ¼ x 6 ½ x ½ in. - $600

Vibrant colors and an eye-catching composition combine to create this visual spectacle of a retablo by Monica Halford.

Barbara Latham (1896-1989) - Winter Landscape (Untitled), etching/hand-colored, 3 ½ x 4 in. - $850

Take home a slice of art history with this darling hand-colored etching by famed illustrator Barbara Latham.

To inquire about or purchase any of the pieces above, click the button under any item or call the Gallery at (505) 982-4631.