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Preliminary identification

Harrison Begay Tewa Enterprises Serigraph, 'Navajo Boy with Donkey'

Photo reference

2 uploaded photos

Overview

A classic mid-century hand-pulled serigraph by renowned Navajo artist Harrison Begay, featuring a young boy in traditional attire leading a donkey. This piece exemplifies the 'Studio Style' of Native American art, defined by its flat color fields, delicate line work, and serene, idealized subject matter.

Story

In 1951, Harrison Begay co-founded Tewa Enterprises to democratize Native American art. This print was part of a revolutionary movement that brought the quiet beauty of Navajo life into thousands of homes across the globe.

Maker / Origin

Harrison Begay (1917–2012), known as 'The Wandering Boy,' was a star student of Dorothy Dunn at the Santa Fe Indian School. A WWII veteran who landed at Normandy, he became one of the most influential Diné painters in history.

Condition & Value

The print shows light toning (yellowing) and some visible 'waving' in the paper, which is common for vintage Tewa prints. The original Tewa Enterprises label on the reverse adds significant provenance and historical value. Condition is good, but acid-free re-matting is recommended for preservation.

Full Research

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

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Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

  • ▲ Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • ▲ Better-than-average condition for the category
  • ▲ Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • ▼ Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • ▼ Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • ▼ Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps

Regional auction

· Jun 2024

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

$1,280

SOLD

Dealer archive

· Mar 2024

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

$1,450

SOLD

Marketplace sale

· Jan 2024

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

$980

SOLD

Estate platform

· Oct 2023

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

$1,150

SOLD

Auction result

· Aug 2023

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.

$1,375

SOLD