ABQ Times

The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology at the University of New Mexico is set to host its 15th annual Navajo rug auction fund-raiser. This event, a collaboration with R.B. Burnham & Company of Arizona, is the museum's largest fund-raising effort each year and supports public programs and other initiatives.

The auction will feature over 250 rugs in various shapes, colors, and sizes, along with other handmade items. The weekend kicks off on Friday, November 15, with a Native American jewelry appraisal and sale at the Maxwell Museum. Appraisals cost $10 per item, benefiting the museum directly. Virginia Burnham will also present her Native American jewelry trunk sale.

For those interested in Native history and art but without items for appraisal, there is an opportunity to learn in an Antiques Roadshow style setting.

The main event takes place on Saturday, November 16, at Prairie Star Restaurant. The day begins with a viewing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the auction starting at 1 p.m. Participants can explore various styles of Navajo weaving and potentially acquire unique pieces of textile art.

Weavers receive 80 percent of the final bid price while the Maxwell Museum benefits from a 10 percent buyer's premium. Since the auction occurs on Santa Ana land, purchases are exempt from sales tax.

Further details are available on the Maxwell Museum's website.