Tohono Chul is a unique urban desert garden with nature trails and cultural programs. In the 1980s, the Wilsons established Tohono Chul, 37-acres, to protect and preserve this parcel of Sonoran Desert, and donated 65 pieces from Suzanne Colton Wilson’s collection to establish the gardens’s Permanent Collection. Today, we have grown to 49 acres with a Permanent Collection with over 350 objects.
To help support our Tohono Chul, pieces from five collections that have been gifted and not accessioned into the Permanent Collection are now available for purchase.
Want to see more?
Request to see more items available in each collection. Please email exhibits@tohonochul.org to make arrangements.
Disclaimer: Please note, items are sold in as-is condition. Not all items in each Collection are available on the website due to the amount of available items, but are still available for purchase, so please email exhibits@tohonochul.org for more information.
The Elinor Lamont Hallowell Collection of
Patriotic Native American Art
In United States history, the American flag has been infused with a great many ideologies, serving as a medium for solidarity, personal expression and social commentary. Through a variety of patriotic Native American artworks donated to Tohono Chul by Elinor Lamont Hallowell, these pieces provided a unique view of the American flag and the inextricable nature of symbolism and the human experience.
Mrs. Hallowell participated in several of Tohono Chul’s travel Ed-ventures, visiting locations throughout Arizona and New Mexico. What began as a casual interest soon developed into a passionate pursuit. This diverse collection, exhibited at Tohono Chul in 2014, includes works created by Sioux, Navajo, Iroquois and other Native American artisans, all of whose motivation has sprung from different experiences and events in American history.
Lidded Makah Basket
Lidded basket with United States dlag design by Unknown Makah Artist
A Woolly Good Flag
Wool weaving featuring a United States flag by Navajo artist Sarah Descheny
Leaping Horse Dance Stick
Wooden dance stick painted in United States flag design by Brulé Sioux artist Marlin Kills-in-Sight
Flag Messenger
Mild steel feather on a triangular base, painted with United States flag motif by Hopi artist Bryson Nequatewa
Child’s Beaded Vest, 1890
Pictorial, fully beaded, buckskin vest by Unknown Sioux Artist
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Teepee Ornament
Carved and painted teepee with stars and stripes by Unknown Navajo Artist
Beaded Moccasins
Beaded white deer skin moccasins by Unknown Cheyenne Artist
High Spirits
Painted and carved Uncle Sam riding a bucking horse and holding a United States flag by Navajo artist Delbert Buck
Clown Gourd Bank
Painted gourd to resemble a Hopi Clown with a slot carved on the top by Navajo artist Hilton Hongeva
United States Flag Steer Skull
Patriotic steer by Apache artist I.M.R. Arkadie
Beaded Knife Sheath
Beaded deer skin knife sheath by Blackfeet artist Diana Passmore
Pair of Beaded Child’s Cuffs
Cuffs with snap closure by Unknown Plateau Artist
United States Flag Belt Buckle
Silver belt buckle with inset beaded United States flag by Navajo artist Timothy Tsosie
Beaded Pouch Necklace
Loom – woven pouch necklace by Navajo artist Linda William
Eagle Head Ornament
Carved eagle head painted with United States flag motif by Navajo artist Marvin Jim
Stars N’ Stripes Mule
Grinning mule with bared teeth painted with a United States flag motif by Navajo artist Iveta Sherman.
Horse Sandstone Carving
Sandstone horse with painted main, tail, eyes, bridle, and a United States flag by Navajo artist Homer Warren
Ride to Live – Live to Ride
Carved and painted wooden Navajo woman riding a motorcycle by Navajo artist Delbert Buck
Flag Pictorial Weaving
Wool pictorial weaving with Monument Valley scene by Navajo artist Joanne Begay
Eagle Dancer
Cherokee Eagle Dancer with an American flag by Cherokee artist Jesse T. Hummingbird
The David and Lura Lovell Collection
After selling their profitable companies, David and Lura Lovell established a family foundation to help support the mental health industry based on the decades of work Lura has done on behalf of their son and others. The foundation was a lifelong dream of the Lovell’s. Lura also had a love and appreciation of the Desert Southwest and the artwork created here. Since 1989, she collected over 100 pieces of contemporary Native American and Mexican artwork. She had a great love and appreciation for the art and gardens of Tohono Chul, so much so that several of the outdoor spaces at her home were inspired by the gardens of Tohono Chul. After she passed in 2013, she donated her art collection to Tohono Chul.
Hopi Wicker Plaque with Star Design
Hopi wicker plaque from the third mesa by Unknown Hopi Artist
Santa Clara Vase
Santa Clara black polished case by Santa Clara artist Virginia Garcia
Serpentine Bear Fetish
Brown serpentine bear fetish with black eyes by Zuni artists Aaron and Thelma Sheche
Prayer Feather Bowl
Black carved oval bowl by Santa Clara artist Denise Chavarria
Tohono O’odham Split Stitch Tray
Yellow and white split stitch tray by Unknown Tohono O’odham Artist
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Gold and Coral Bracelet
14K gold v-shaped, side-wrap bracelet with coral by San Felipe artist Richard Chavez
Five-strand clam shell heishi necklace
28in five strand clam shell heishi necklace by Santo Domingo artists Joe and Terry Reano
Pipestone Buffalo Fetish
Pipestone buffalo circa 1950-1960 by Unknown Sioux Artist
Pipestone Snake Fetish
Red pipestone incised snake with blue eyes by Zuni artist Darren Shebola
Pipestone Horned Lizard Fetish
Pipestone horned lizard with blue eyes by Zuni artists Fabian Tsethlikai
Dolomite Mole Fetish
Dolomite mole with blue eyes by San Felipe artist Melvin Sandoval
Serpentine Badger Fetish
Serpentine badger with blue eyes by San Felipe artist Melvin Sandoval
Alabaster Bear Fetish
Alabaster bear with a long neck and stone bundle by Cherokee artist Tom Hayes
Alabaster Horse with Bundle Fetish
Alabaster horse with black eyes and a black stone bundle by Zuni artist Virginia Toombs
Serpentine and Cowrie Shell Turtle Fetish
Green/Gray Serpentine and cowrie shell turtle with black eyes by Zuni artists Fabian Homer
Dolomite Ram Fetish
Dolomite ram with blue eyes and petroglyph like symbols carved on its bod by Zuni artist Ulysses Mahkee
Six Directional Fetish Set
by Navajo artist Jayne Quam
Sterling Silver and Turquoise Bolo
Sterling silver bolo with Morenci turquoise in a shadow box setting. by an Unknown Artist
14K Gold, Sterling Silver, Coral and Turquoise Bolo
by Navajo artist Victor Beck
Gallup Squares
Three gallup squares in various designs and colors by Unknown Navajo Artist
The Agnes T. and Don L. Smith Collection
Agnes Smith and her husband Don had a fondness for the native cultures of the Southwest, frequently traveling and purchasing objects for their collection. Mrs. Smith had warm feelings for Tohono Chul and wanted to share her collection so that our visitors might appreciate and enjoy these fine Native American crafts as she did.
A majority of the Smith Collection has been accessioned into our Permanent Collection and the rest are now available for purchase. Included in this collection are fine examples of Native American basketry, pottery and Navajo weavings.
Quinault Basket with Beads
Basket with maroon, turquoise and cream beads by Unknown Quinault Artist
Small Twined Storage Wallet
Stylized dog and wolf design storage wallet by Unknown Twana (Skokomish) Artist
Lidded Wolf Design Basket
Wolf head design on basket in green and red with sun design on the lid by Unknown Quinault Artist
Carved Spoon
Carved spoon with mother of pearl inlay on edge, circa 1900 by Unknown Tlingit Artist
Interlocking Diamond Weaving
Red, black, orange and white interlocking diamonds by Unknown Navajo Artist
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Small Nootka Lidded Basket
Small lidded basket with wave design by Unknown Nootka Artist
Twined Basket with Whale Tooth Design
Basket with flaring sides and whale tooth design by Unknown Quinault Artist
Black and White Greenware Jar
Black and White Greenware Jar by Ute Mountain Tribe artist LP
Double Spouted Greenware Vase / Wedding Vase
Carved and painted greenware double spouted vase or wedding vase by Unknown Acoma Artist
Turtle Shell Rattle
Turtle shell rattle with leather wrapped wooden handle by Unknown Cherokee Artist
Coiled Basket with Imbricate Overlay
Coiled basket with an imbricated overlay and tree of life design by Unknown Yakima Artist
Winnowing Basket
Shallow, teardrop shaped basket by Unknown Washoe Artist
Cone-Shaped Basket with Six Pointed Star Design
Cone shaped basket with red and black star design by Unknown Tlingit Artist
Twined Basket
Closed weave with black zig-zag bands by Unknown Yurok Artist
Basket with Netting Design
Coiled Bowl with black netting design by Unknown Yurok Artist
Vase-Shaped Basket
Vase-shaped basket with two dark saw-like designs by Unknown Great Basin or Philippine Artist
Geometric Design Basket with Lid
Straight-sided basket with close fitting cover by Unknown Philippine Artist
Black and Red Geometric Design Bowl
Geometric design in black and red by Unknown Casas Grandes Reproduction Artist
Black Jar with Fish Design
Black jar with fish patterns around the middle by Mata Oritz-Quezada artist Hilario Quezada
Black, White and Red Geometric Design Greenware Jar
Greenware Jar with black, white and red geometric designs by Isleta artist Feli-Jojola
The Linda Staubitz Collection
This small collection came to Tohono Chul in 2014 and contains fine examples of Hopi and Navajo culture. Only one item left in this collection.
Arrow Design Fireplace Tool Set
Metal fireplace tool set with arrow design containing a fireplace broom, fire iron and shovel.
Roland and Lila Wadsworth Bolo Tie Collection
After serving in WWII, Roland “Bob” Wadsworth graduated with a civil engineering degree and decided to spend the rest of his life in Arizona. Bob moved the Phoenix and with two other engineers, founded the Engineering Corporation and served as chief engineer for numerous projects on the Navajo reservation and became an admirer and friend of many talented artists and craftsmen. His fascination with beautiful bolo ties began with the purchase of his first one and the determination to never wear an ordinary tie again.
By 1977, the bolo tie collection amassed to 82 exquisite bolos designed in silver with inlays of coral, mother of pearl, malachite, lapis, sugilite, and turquoise. This gift to Tohono Chul follows Roland and Lila’s generous gift of the HORSE, a life size reclaimed metal sculpture from African artist Kioko Mwitiki that is permanently installed in Tohono Chul’s Cactus Circle.
Sio Salako Bolo Tie
Silver Sia Salako Hopi overlay with Hopicrafts hallmark
Helen Long Style Bolo Tie
Silver and turquoise Helen Long Style bolo with silver tips
Drum Design Bolo Tie
Drum design in silver and turquoise by Zuni artist Eddy Beyuka
Helen Long Style Bolo Tie
Silver and turquoise bolo with silver tips by Unknown Zuni Artist
Morenci Turquoise Bolo Tie
Silver and Morenci turquoise bolo with silver tips
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Zuni Knifewing Dancer Bolo Tie
Silver and turquoise Knifewing Dancer bolo with silver tips by Unknown Zuni Artist
Reversible Bolo Tie with Matching Cufflinks
On one side of the bolo has turquoise with a silver leaf and the other side has coral with silver designs by Navajo artist Ramon Platero
Turquoise Bolo Tie with Matching Ring
The bolo, tips and ring have silver leaves surrounding a piece of turquoise
Silver and Turquoise Bolo
Bolo and tips have silver leaf designs with Morenci or Kingman turquoise by Navajo artist Ramon Platero
Kokopelli Bolo Tie
Silver Kokopelli design bolo with silver tips
Eagle Bolo Tie
Eagle design bolo tie with eagle head tips by Zuni artists Ray and Bernice Wyaco
Cluster Style Bolo Tie
Coral, turquoise, and silver cluster style bolo tie.
Hoop Dancer Bolo Tie
Hoop dancer with four rings and silver tips by Zuni artist Eddie Beyuka
Hawk Bolo Tie
Perched hawk bolo tie with hawk head tips by Zuni artist Porfilio Sheyka
Mountain Lion Bolo Tie
Growling mountain lion bolo tie with claw and paw tips by Zuni artists Ray and Bernice Wyaco
Plains Indian Style Dancer Bolo Tie
Plains Indian Style Dancer Bolo Tie by Zuni artist Lavonne Lalio
Owl Head Bolo Tie
Owl head bolo tie and tips
Shalako Bolo Tie
Shalako style bolo tie with siver tips by Zuni artist Vera Luna
Cowry Shell Owl Bolo Tie
Cowry shell owl bolo with silver tips by Zuni artist Porfilio Sheyka
Coral Bolo Tie
Silver and coral oval cluster bolo tie with silver tips by Navajo artist S. Chavez
Want to see more?
Request a private tour to see more items available in each collection. Please email exhibits@tohonochul.org to make arrangements.
Disclaimer: Please note items are sold in as-is condition. Collection items featured on the website are available for shipment, however picking up your purchased items is preferred. Not all items in each collection are available on the website due to their delicate nature, but are still available for purchase, so please email exhibits@tohonochul.org for more information.