Native American Silver Metalwork Jewelry
69Native American Metalwork and Beadwork Jewelry
One of the two general types of Native American jewelry is metalwork. Native American silver jewelry is now pre-eminent. The other type is beadwork jewelry. Beadwork, using natural materials like shells and turquoise, animal bones, ivory, was well-developed even in pre-Columbian times.
Metalwork jewelry, on the other hand, was relatively simple until after the arrival of the Europeans. Before new techniques were introduced and adopted, the primary methods of working metal were hammering and etching. The tradition began with iron, copper and brass and later moved on to silver.
The Spanish invaders introduced the technology of silversmithing. The Spaniards came to the southwest of the continent and the Mexicans learned from them the art and technique of silversmithing.
Photo credits: bunky's pickle under Creative Commons
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Native American Navajo 12KGF Silver Horse Cuff Bracelet
Current Bid: $42.96
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Native American BEAD LOOM Kit Jewelry Wire Beading NEW
Current Bid: $7.90
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Native American Navajo Indian Turquoise Cuff Bracelet
Current Bid: $49.96
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10.3 gr Native American Navajo Turquoise Ring Sgn PHY
Current Bid: $29.95
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Navajo Love Song Sung by IronFistEagleClaw.
Internment at Fort Sumner
It is believed that the Navajo were the first American Indians to have learned silversmithing from the Mexicans. The Navajo, approximately numbering 8000, were imprisoned for four years at Fort Sumner, after being captured by Kit Carson in 1863. Some say that they did not start working silver until after their imprisonment.
There is a story of a Navajo called Atsidi Sani ("Old Smith"), who learned working silver from a Mexican after his release from Fort Sumner, and then taught his sons, who in turn taught others.
Another Navajo,named Atsidi Chon ("Ugly Smith"), is reported to have moved to Zuni some four years later, and taught the Zuni how to silversmith. The story goes that his Zuni friend, Lanyade, paid Atsidi Chon "one good horse" for teaching him.
Lanyade then moved around to sell his jewelry, and came to the Hopi. The skills were taught to Sikyatala, the first Hopi silversmith.
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A MAN NAMED JOB AND THE NAVAHOS
Price: $5.00
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Spanish and Moorish Influence
The Navajo were much influenced by the Spaniards, with whom they were constantly interacting. From them they inherited the early Spanish designs. But the Spaniards themselves had been under Muslim rule for almost 800 years. Their art had a distinctive Moorish influence. This in turn was passed on to the Navajo, then the Zuni and the Hopi.
The representative Native American jewelry is the squash blossom necklace, which has as its centrepiece a crescent-shaped pendant. This design was much used by the Spaniards in the iron ornaments on horse bridles. Though further developed as time went by, the essential design of the squash blossom necklace is in fact a legacy of Moorish influence.|
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VINTAGE NAVAJO SQUASH BLOSSOM NECKLACE~STERLING SILVER
Current Bid: $599.00
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Old Pawn Navajo Natural Coral Squash Blossom Necklace
Current Bid: $4730.00
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VINTAGE NAVAJO STERLING SILVER SQUASH BLOSSOM NECKLACE
Current Bid: $295.00
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Navajo Begaye Green Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace
Current Bid: $892.50
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Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace & Earring Set
Current Bid: $649.95
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Native American Navajo 12KGF Silver Horse Cuff Bracelet
Current Bid: $42.96
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Navajo Sterling Silver Gold Eagle Feather Ring Rings !!
Current Bid: $39.95
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Native American Navajo Indian Turquoise Cuff Bracelet
Current Bid: $49.96
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10.3 gr Native American Navajo Turquoise Ring Sgn PHY
Current Bid: $29.95
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Present Day Native American Metalwork Jewelry
Much of present day Native American metalwork jewelry descends from the skills learned and practised by the Navajo, Zuni and Hopi Indians in those early times.
The Navajo are famed for their exquisite silver designs, inlaid with various gem stones.
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mdtabish says:
13 months ago
Although i never found myself fascinated by jewellery, I found this hub of yours very informative and thus very interesting.