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History of Navajo Silversmiths

Today's Navajo Silversmiths

Navajo Jewelry Techniques

History of Zuni Silversmiths

Today's Zuni Silversmiths

Navajo Zuni Techniques
 

History of Navajo Silversmiths

Around 1850, a Mexican man living near Mt. Taylor, New Mexico introduced blacksmithing to Atsidi Sani "Old Smith", a Navajo Indian.  It is not certain if Atsidi Sani was the first Navajo silversmith, but he is the most well-known for his time.  In 1868, Atsidi Sani taught his four sons, who then taught others how to silversmithing.

Early Navajo jewelry pieces consisted of simple earrings, ketohs (bow guards), belt fasteners and bracelets.  The silver to make the jewelry came from traders providing tools and supplies, such as silver coins and slugs.  Plus, traders gave the Navajo silversmiths a place to trade and sell their jewelry.  In 1920, sheet silver replaced silver slugs, allowing the artists to work more quickly.

Today's Navajo Silversmiths

The Navajo reservation is the largest Indian Reservation in the United States and covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.  Most Navajo silversmiths come from a long line of silversmiths in their family, for this is a time honored trade that is past down from generation to generation.

Many things influence the designs used in the Navajo jewelry.  The designs seen from other traders from across the Mississippi River, the Spaniards, Mexicans and of course, it was just natural for them to carry their own designs and traditions into the making of their jewelry.

The Navajo's focus is mostly on the ornate detailed designs made with the silver.   There are designs dating thousands of years ago that were found etched on the walls of caves that are being used in jewelry that is made today.  Navajo silversmiths create handcrafted, fine jewelry using sterling silver, 14K gold, and several kinds of turquoise.  Other stones may include man-made opal, coral, gemstones, seashell lapis, denim lapis, black onyx, malachite, and other natural stones.  Over many generations they have developed their skills, talents and designs into an art form all their own.  Many people from all over the world have come to appreciate and love the look of the southwestern jewelry that they handcraft today.

Navajo Jewelry Techniques

Appliqué

The technique where shapes such as, leaves, feathers, and flowers are cut from a sheet or wire silver and the attached onto an underlying piece.  Artist might twist wire into various forms and attach as decoration.  To make jewelry more contemporary, gold is being used as appliquéd pieces instead of silver.

Cast Work

An early Navajo technique where the silver is poured into sand or stone molds.  The design is then grounded and polished.  Any stones are then added.

Cluster Work

Consist of well matched stones or shell arranged into flower like patterns.

Hand Hammered/Stamped

Another early Navajo technique, where the metal is heated and shaped in to a design.  After shaping the piece, a graver or die stamp is used to engrave designs into the metal.

Needlepoint

A signature technique for the Navajo Indians.  A technique where the stones are ground down and shaped with points on both ends. Part of a Cluster technique.

Oxidation

A chemical process that blackens silver, and can give pieces a different look.

Petitpoint

A technique where the small stones are ground down and rounded on one side.  Part of a Cluster technique.

Repousse

A variation on hand-stamping technique, repousse is done from the back of the piece of jewelry.  This raises the front of the design.

History of Zuni Silversmiths

In the 1870's, The Zuni Indian tribe learned silversmithing from the Navajo Indians.  As the story goes... Atsidi Chon "Ugly Smith", a Navajo silversmith who was a friend and trading partner of La:niyadhi, a Zuni Indian.  Atsidi Chon moved to the Zuni pueblo and made jewelry for the Zuni people, but kept the techniques to himself.  Finally for the payment of a horse, Atsidi Chon taught the silversmithing techniques to La:niyadhi, who became the first Zuni silversmith.  La:niyadhi eventually taught other Zuni Indians this trade.

Today's Zuni Silversmiths

Since the Zuni is small community, these artists carefully create their our styles.  The Zuni Indians put great emphasis on stone work in their pieces.  Designs often incorporate many stones assembled to form an intricate design and visually pleasing piece.

Zuni artists create breath-taking jewelry made with sterling silver, turquoise, coral, and mother of pearl.  Zuni Indians are known for their overlay work and these styles are some of the most sought after pieces in the world.  Zuni silversmiths create handcrafted, fine jewelry using sterling silver, 14K gold, and several kinds of turquoise.  Other stones may include man-made opal, coral, gemstones, seashell lapis, denim lapis, black onyx, malachite, and other natural stones.  Over many generations they have developed their skills, talents and designs into an art form all their own.  Many people from all over the world have come to appreciate and love the look of the southwestern jewelry that they handcraft today.

Zuni Jewelry Techniques

Channel Inlay

A signature technique for Zuni, it is a variation of mosaic inlay.  Stones are individually cut but are connected with a thin layer of silver between stones.

Cluster Work

Consist of well matched stones or shell arranged into flower like patterns.

Mosaic Inlay

This technique started in the 1920 where individual cut stones fit tightly together to create a design.

Fetish

Stones carved into animals for protection and blessings, maybe in jewelry or loose.  Also, a signature technique of the Zuni tribe.

Needlepoint

A signature technique for the Navajo Indians.  A technique where the stones are ground down and shaped with points on both ends. Part of a Cluster technique.

Overlay Inlay

Features two pieces of silver, one for the backing and the second, with a pattern cut from the silver, joined on top.  This technique fills the opening with stones "laid in" to form a mosaic design.

Petitpoint

A technique where the small stones are ground down and rounded on one side.  Part of a Cluster technique.

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Last modified: 03/16/08

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