A Loloma Lost, Then Found

A Loloma Lost … Then Found A reader asks about the value of a Charles Loloma pendant her parents gifted her years ago. Another learns about Navajo folk art.

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A reader writes in about this carving by Delbert Buck (Navajo)

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I got this at an estate sale in my neighborhood. The owner had spent a lot of time in the Southwest over the years and had accumulated a bunch of Kokopellis and howling coyotes. This piece stood out as being much more clever. It measures 12” x 16” x 7” and is signed by Delbert Buck. What do you know about it?

J.M., San Antonio TX

Navajo folk is virtually guaranteed to put a smile on one’s face – and when purchased at a bargain price, that’s even better!

Delbert Buck was born from the Salt clan of the Navajo Nation in Shiprock, Arizona, in 1976. One of eight children, Buck started carving at a young age, often fashioning small wooden toys for himself and his siblings. When he was just 12 years old, his father introduced him to trader Jack Beasley of the Four Corners area. Within two years, he had gallery representation.

Humor and satire are often central to his work—such as yours, depicting a tribal council member in his souped-up ride, with his briefcase marked “top secret” and accompanied by a sheep using a laptop.  

He hand carves a number figures from cottonwood or scraps of found wood, then paints the group of carvings with acrylics, often decorating them with bits of sheep wool or fabric.

In addition his artistic career, Buck has studied physical therapy and has worked as a physical therapist, an electrician on the oil rigs in Bloomfield, New Mexico, and as an auto mechanic.

If you had purchased this carving in a retail setting, you probably would have paid around $300 for it.

Christy Vezolles (Shawnee) is an accredited member of the American Society of Appraisers and an authority in Native American art. Her business, Art Value (www.artvalueinfo.com), is based in Phoenix.

Values provided here are informed estimates but are not considered legal appraisals. To have works considered for evaluation, send good photos, background information, and your name and phone number to and include “Appraisals” in the subject line.