Native American Artifacts and Antiques

Curation & Education

James Compton Gallery now showing in the lobby at the La Fonda Hotel on the Plaza with a large window display.

I’m excited to share my collection of Native American, Spanish Colonial and other curious objects at my gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Foremost, I am a collector looking for other collectors. My goal is to meet and connect with you in a way that promotes our mutual interest in beautiful objects created by those who came well before us.

I offer historic Native American Indian and Spanish Colonial items of the 19th century. Blankets of the Navajo, Pueblo and Rio Grande are a specialty as well as historic Southwest pottery and implements of Native use. I encourage you to explore this website and to visit my gallery for a look at some rare items. When the gallery is closed, you can always go to the lobby of the La Fonda Hotel and see a number of items on display and for purchase.

Navajo Ketoh or Bow Guard
Navajo
Silver, Turquoise, Commercial Hide
Navajo Third Phase Chief Blanket, Circa 1890
Navajo
Wool
Hopi Bowl of a Palhik Mana Kachina Mask
Nampeyo of Hano
Clay
Mexican Tin Retablo, Framed, St. Joseph with Christ Child
Mexico
Tin, Paint
A Family of Teddy Weahkee Mudhead Figures
Likely by Teddy Weahkee, Zuni
Antler, Hide, Paint
Unusual, Early Pair of Comanche Earrings
Comanche
Silver, German Silver

(505) 699-0323

131 W. San Francisco Street, Santa Fe, NM, 87501

James Compton Gallery

Meet Jamie

Curator + Architect + Enthusiast

Thirty years of collecting have taught me many things, and I look forward to sharing not just the objects but the lessons I have learned. My blog provides a wealth of insights and stories behind these incredible pieces, ranging from unusual finds like a Navajo dress panel to tips for collectors of Navajo, Pueblo, and Rio Grande blankets. I also delve into the cultural significance and historical context of items such as Hopi material culture. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to the world of Native American and Spanish Colonial artifacts, my blog is a valuable resource for deepening your understanding and appreciation of these treasures.

Explore My Thoughts

Native American Collection

Explore Collection

Located in the heart of Santa Fe, our gallery specializes in 19th-century Native American artifacts and antiques, offering a range of culturally significant objects for sale. Collectors and enthusiasts can explore diverse items from various Native American cultures, including the Navajo, Pueblo, and Plains tribes. Our collection features meticulously curated native american textiles, pottery, fetishes and jewelry, each with a rich history and unique story. Whether you are a seasoned collector or new to Native American art, our gallery provides a captivating glimpse into the craftsmanship and traditions of these remarkable cultures.

A Quintessential, Early Navajo Squash Blossom Necklace

Spanish Colonial Collection

Explore Collection

Our Spanish Colonial collection specializes in artifacts and antiques from the 16th to 19th centuries. The collection includes handcrafted antique furniture from New Mexico and Europe, religious iconography such as retablos, bultos, and santos, and a variety of decorative arts. Each item reflects the rich cultural heritage and artistic traditions of the Spanish Colonial era, highlighting intricate craftsmanship and historical significance.

An Early New Mexican Spanish Colonial Box or Chest

The James Compton Gallery presents

Early Spanish Colonial Wood Boxes: A Collector’s Guide to New Mexican Cajas (1600-1900)

Chests, Trunks, Boxes, cajas….

Uncover the hidden treasures of the American Southwest through its most enigmatic artifacts – colonial wood boxes that once safeguarded the secrets of Spanish settlers and Native artisans, where each weathered surface and mysterious carved rosette tells a tale of frontier ingenuity and artistic mastery worth thousands to modern collectors.

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