Anita L Chavez, MA, ISA, AM, Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts

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Anita L Chavez
ISA member since Aug 13, 2015

(505) 350-7773 (Office)

P.O. Box 7484
Albuquerque, NM 87109 map

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About

I am Anita Chavez a Personal Property Appraiser from Albuquerque, New Mexico/Phoenix, Arizona. I specialize in Southwest Native American items; Navajo rugs, Native American and Pueblo pottery (including prehistoric pottery -Casas Grandes, Anasazi, Mimbres etc,) Native American jewelry, Hopi Katsinas, Navajo Kachinas and various other items such as Native American accessories and clothing. I also specialize in antique and vintage Spanish colonial items, Ortega rugs, Lopez/Cordova wood carvings, Spanish and Mexican retablos and Santos, silver work and Work Project Administration (WPA) furniture made in New Mexico.  

I established my business, Southwest Heritage Personal Property Appraisals in July of 2014.  My educational background is a Bachelors degree in Sociology, with a minor in Anthropology, and a Masters of Art degree from NMSU and UNM respectively. I have completed the following coursework through ISA:  Advanced Appraisal Methods (Montreal Canada), 2024, Updated Fine Arts Course (2023), Requalification Course 2022, USPAP 15 Hour (2022), Core Course in Appraisal Studies, Antiques, Furnishings and Decorative Studies, Appraisal of Fine Arts and the Business of Appraising. I continue my education by attending local workshops offered by museums, ISA webinars and appraisal specific conferences. I am currently the Vice President of the Menaul Historical Library of the Southwest Advisory Board (Albuquerque, New Mexico) where I also provide pro bono work to update and catalogue the library's Southwest artifact collection. 

As a full-time Personal Property Appraiser I work closely with my staff of two highly dedicated assitants, one in New Mexico and one in Arizona. I provide Appraisals, Restricted Appraisals and Valuations for residential contents for insurance and damage claims, equitable distribution for estates and noncash charitable contributions. The majority of charitable contribution work has been for clients donating Prehistoric Native American items to Museums in Santa Fe, NM. 

My expertise in Southwest Native American items comes from working with Native Americans (Navajo, Hopi, Mescalero and Jicarilla Apache, Zuni, Ute and the 19 Indian Pueblos) in New Mexico and Arizona for over 30 years. Prior to becoming an appraiser I worked for the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico. The Federal Courts jurisdiction encompasses all tribal lands. Throughout my federal career I had the opportunity to visit artists in their pueblos and reservations countless times and would be invited to feast days (Pueblo Indian celebrations).I had the opportunity to be present as they created jewelry, rugs, pottery, Hopi Katsinas and Kachinas in their homes. I have a deep understanding and respect for not only their craft but also their culture.  

Some people may not realize or recall that Northern New Mexico was a Spanish (Spain) colony dating back to 1540. I have been able to trace my families history as far back as the 1600's.  Recently, the New York Times wrote an article titled  "New Mexico is Losing a Form of Spanish Dialect Spoken Nowhere Else in the World".  That is the dialect that I learned and that my family speaks.  Along with my language, I treasure all the ancient and vintage forms of handmade items (art and utilitarian) that the Native American, Spanish and Mexican inhabitants brought to this land. Therefore getting the opportunity to see the beautiful rugs and pottery, for instance, is a real joy for me.  I am very aware of the past influences (art and culture) that the Native American, Mexican and Spanish inhabitants had in the Southwest.

I reside with my husband Ruben and my Westie dog Sophia in Albuquerque, NM and Chandler, AZ. I am also a grandmother to two beautiful baby girls who reside in Arizona.  I consider myself very blessed as I am also actively involved with my 94 year old mother Esther, who is a faithful weekly volunteer, as an archivist, at the Menaul Historical Library of the Southwest (MHLSW). My joy is cooking my families favorite New Mexican cuisine, recipes handed down from my grandmother.