Wilford's Jewelry Buying Journal

Bronze Loon by Carol Naranjo

2010-07-02T16:42:00.000-07:00

Carol Naranjo, who hails from the Old Laguna Pueblo, created this refreshingly unique necklace. The centerpiece loon was made from bronze cast in volcanic tufa. The beads are composed of pie jasper and black agate. She is best known as an artist, not for her sublime jewelry creations, but for her award-commanding red willow and pine needle baskets. Sandy and I met her for the first time at the annual Native Teasures Art Show in Santa Fe this year. I was so attracted to this necklace that I did not take note of any baskets on her table, surely she must have had them close by or perhaps when we arrived near closing they had all been sold. Baskets are her first artistic love as she reveals in this quote, “I guess you would say I have a passion for these baskets; I wish I could go back and have a lifetime of doing this. I get a sad feeling because I have to go through the whole summer without contact with willows.” In the future I'll be looking not only for her innovative jewelry but also for her baskets. Price of necklace $325.

Acoma Pottery Shard Necklace

2010-06-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

Pottery necklace was by Acoma Potter Karen Miller. Cost $44

Turquoise and Chile

2010-06-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

Turquoise and chile intermingle freely and often here in the Native American Jewelry Capital of the world. Sandy and I met one day last week at Genaro's, a very popular Gallup luncheon hot spot, for some tongue scorching red and green chile entrees. While we dined we had 7 different Navajo vendors stop by our table. Sandy, bare-necked and hungry on arrival, left the restaurant sodium repleted, gut warmed, and neck adorned. It's all part of the good life in Gallup, New Mexico. Total cost: meal, drinks, necklace, tax, and tip--$98.36.

Hopi Weavers

2010-06-27T22:18:00.000-07:00

Mary-Russell Colton, an original founder of the Museum of Northern Arizona, recorded 213 Hopi weavers in the 1930's, all were male. Today, textile weaving among the Hopi people is now a fading memory. So once again, it is historically refreshing to see the work of Edward S. Curtis who in the very early years of the past century captured this image of a Hopi man weaver at work on his loom.

Navajo Rugs at Datil, New Mexico

2010-06-26T19:58:00.000-07:00

Russell Lee's images of American life during the Great Depression cemented his place in history as one of the most important photographers of the twentieth century. His documentary work as a Farm Security Administration (FSA) photographer at Pie Town, New Mexico centered on the lives of a group of 1930's Dust Bowl refugees. "Jigger at Pie Town" as shown below is from that body of work and is perhaps his best known image. His interior picture of the upscale tourist summer resort hotel, the Navajo Lodge, at Datil, New Mexico located 21 miles from Pie Town was taken around the same time. The remarkable Navajo rug collection there was undoubtedly the focus of his attention. Both images are from the year 1940.

Images from the Library of Congress

A Ceramic Greenware Lizard from Acoma

2010-06-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Sandy and I first met Lilly Salvador, a celebrated potter of Acoma, at a Native American art show in Santa Fe, New Mexico this year. She has a delightfully quaint little studio house across the street from the very modern Acoma cultural visitor center that sits just beyond shadow range below the ancient pueblo settlement now commonly referred to as Sky City. Francisco Vaquez de Coronado's army visited Acoma in the year 1540 when he and his soldiers became the first Europeans to enter the adobe village. He recorded, "One of the strongest ever seen, because the city was built on a high rock. The ascent was so difficult that we repented climbing to the top. The houses are three and four stories high. The people are of the same type as those in the province of Cibola (Zuni) and they have abundant supplies of maize, beans and turkeys like those of New Spain."

We had agreed to buy one of Lilly's pottery necklaces in progress when and subsequently made two trips to her home studio to fetch the completed work. Both times we failed to catch her, but one trip we salvaged in fun by pleasurable dining at the visitor center restaurant and by taking the guided tour of Sky City. However, we repented one trip for it is a long looping asphalt diversion from the Interstate. Last Saturday we finally caught up with Lilly at the Dancing Eagle Casino Art and Music Festival. Besides securing our much anticipated pottery necklace, we also bought the handsome pottery lizard pictured above. She crafted it from commercial greenware and mold. This divergence from tradition began in the 1980’s when some pueblo potters began to use commercial greenware and mold to make their pottery. These newer methods help meet demand, lower prices as compared to traditional pottery creations, and have been accepted by respected dealers and discriminating buyers. Lilly told me this 10x7 inch lizard would be priced about 5 fold greater or approximately $325, had she created it in the time honored ways of her ancestors.

Sandy's Storage Unit Treasure Discovery

2010-06-24T00:01:00.001-07:00

I do not specifically remember purchasing this ten inch clown kachina by Hopi carver Hugh Smith, Jr. in the year 1979 from the Hubbell Trading post for what now seems a very bargain price of $80, but its origin and price are clearly marked under the tree stump. Sandy located it in an old packing box in her recent clean out of our storage unit. He wears a metal bracelet on his right hand and a mollusk and leather bowguard. I was most intrigued by the wrapped blanket bundle under his left arm. This little textile discovery has prompted me to begin researching Hopi textile history; relevant blogs are sure to follow.

Navajo Blankets, Friends, and Ponies

2010-06-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

click to enlarge

Early 1900's by William Pennington

Western History/Genealogy Department, Denver Public Library

Cave Real Estate on the Navajo Reservation

2010-06-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

This cave front property is located only a short walk from the red mesa property shown in the last blog. These caves are easily accessible from the road. They appear to have been ravaged by time and pillage. Again, no rug or jewelry acquisitions, but interesting scenery made the day.

Navajo Real Estate

2010-06-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Sandy and I went traveling through reservation land in Arizona one day last week in search of Navajo rugs. We had a dry run, but we did get a shot of this eye-catching red mesa front property. I'm always looking for traditional pentagonal hogans and I see many, but most are not picturesque and many are abandoned. This home is typical of modern reservation housing.

Rug Weaver at Her Loom in 1873

2010-06-20T07:45:00.000-07:00

click to enlarge

This stereo image by Timothy O'Sullivan was taken during an expedition authorized by the United States Congress for the purpose of mapping that portion of the nation west of the 100th Meredian. O'Sullivan, who first gained prominence for his images taken during the Civil War, was the official trip photographer for the ambitious exploratory survey under the supervision of George M. Wheeler. O'Sullivan's images are among the first ever to reveal the landscapes and inhabitants of Navajo country.

Pottery Bolo

2010-06-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

I bought the picutured pottery bolo, the first I have ever encountered, in the gymnasium hallway at the Crownpoint Rug Auction last week. Marilyn Ray, one of the famed five sister potters of Acoma, made the eye catching clay gem. Price $59.

Navajo Rugs & Blankets & Children

2010-06-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Western History/Genealogy Department, Denver Public Library
CREATED/PUBLISHED
[between 1904 and 1932].

Navajo Rug Design Beadwork Necklaces

2010-06-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Two Grey Hills, Ganado Red, Wild Horses, Tree of Life, Burntwater

click for detail

Navajo Dennison Billy of Arizona created these beautiful beaded necklaces based on well known rug patterns. I bought them on the recent grip to the Crownpoint Rug Auction. Price $179 each with matching earrings.

Good Rugs at Navajo Summer Hogan

2010-06-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

The first Spanish record of Navajo weaving dates to 1706 when the Governor of New Mexico at the time, Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdez wrote of the Navajo, "They make their clothes of wool and cotton, sowing the latter and obtaining the former from the flocks which they raise." The oldest Navajo weavings that can be dated with certainity are from 1805. The image above was taken between 1910 and 1920.

Photo credit: Western History/Genealogy Department, Denver Public Library

Crownpoint Auction Rugs

2010-06-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

Deanna Todechine

Dennehatso

24 x 36 inches

$325

Annette Bahe

Pinon

34 x 54 inches

$1200

Rita Attekeii
Smoke Signals

28 x 40 inches

$600

Linda Howe

Two Grey Hills

13 x 16 inches

$600

The Beauty of the Navajo Loom

2010-06-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

The Navaho-land blanket looms are in evidence everywhere. In the winter months they are set up in the hogans, but during the summer they are erected outdoors under an improvised shelter, or, as in this case, beneath a tree. The simplicity of the loom and its product are here clearly shown, pictured in the early morning light under a large cottonwood.

EDWARD S. CURTIS

Original photogravure produced in Boston by John Andrew & Son, c1904. / Northwestern University Library, Edward S. Curtis's 'The North American Indian': the Photographic Images, 2001

The Crownpoint Navajo Rug Auction

2010-06-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

About 3pm or a little before, food vendors start igniting their fires and Navajo weavers begin queuing up to register their rugs at the Crownpoint Elementary School House each month on rug auction Friday. Buyers need not arrive before 4pm; that's when the rug viewing officially starts and bidder card numbers are set out for pickup. Since there are no restaurants or lodging facilities in Crownpoint, it is a good idea to pack a picnic lunch or better still to just chomp down on some hearty Navajo quick cuisine from one of the several food booths located on the school grounds near the entrance to the auction. Sandy and I selected our sustaining supper from the Navajo family that offered the menu shown here. We found the burger a bit lacking, but the warm fry bread was highly refreshing.

Happily enough, the school gymnasium hallway was packed with Native art products. We bought one artist's entire table of magnificent rug-design beaded necklaces. And we were delighted to meet up once again with Marilyn Ray, a renowned Acoma potter who specializes in traditional handmade Acoma storyteller creations. Sandy insisted on collecting the storyteller pony (price $500). It was actually made by Marilyn Ray's sister, Judy Lewis. They are two of five close Acoma sisters all of whom produce pottery in the traditional manner of their ancestors without resort to modern shortcuts such as employing the use of commercial paints and pigments or electric kilns. Instead, they dot their palettes with their own color formulations derived from local natural products and they fire their pottery in outdoor pits fueled with sheep, cow, or horse manure unlike many modern day Pueblo pottery artists who now rely on the electric kiln and commercial paints. Around 7:10 the auction began and continued for the next two and one-half hours. It took us two trips to haul our rugs to the car, but we were finally on our way by 10pm for the 60 mile trip home back to Gallup. We yearn to return.

The Allure of Tʼiistsʼóóz Ńdeeshgizh

2010-06-11T23:16:00.001-07:00

Roadway into Crownpoint

Tʼiistsʼóóz Ńdeeshgizh is a census-designated place on the East side of the Navajo Nation. This community commonly known as Crownpoint, New Mexico is not photogenic, but the surrounding landscape vistas delight the eye in raw and primitive beauty. With the exception of the second Friday of each month, Crownpoint is rarely a point of destination for outsiders. Since 1968, the Crownpoint Rug Weaver's Association has hosted one of New Mexico's grand cultural events, the Friday night Navajo rug auction which attracts bidders from around the world who converge with weavers throughout the Navajo Nation in the Crownpoint elementary school gymnasium. Buyers have the opportunity to purchase rugs via auction directly from weavers who receive 85% of their rug's selling price payable immediately on completion of the auction. Sandy and I attended for the first time tonight. Our joy of participation is now visibly manifest as 27 rugs strewn about our living room and we are already contemplating return trips.

Cave-studded sandstone mountain landscape near Crownpoint

The Natural Fiber Art of Two Grey Hills

2010-06-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

These two trading post signs along the two lane highway 491 (formerly 666) mark the turnoff to an unforgettable and very unique world class shopping experience. This remote, rugged, and hostile appearing desert area of the Navajo Nation is the birth place of the much celebrated Two Grey Hill rug. These were first woven in the early 1900s, and are now internationally recognized as the pinnacle of the art of Navajo weaving. There are several well recognized regionally based classification of Navajo rugs, examples include, the Klatogh, Wide Ruins, Ganado, Hubbell, and Chinle styles. But the Two Grey Hills rugs are commonly distinguished as the Cadillac. Two Grey Hills rugs are available throughout the Southwest and in high end outlets throughout the world, but there is no better place to buy one of these than at the two old historic trading posts long grounded in the Two Grey Hills landscape. Both are charming and are run by dedicated trader-owners. The posts are very contrasting, but complimentary. Both proprietors deserve credit for keeping the art and tradition alive and well. The Toadlena unit has a marvelous museum display that pulls in heavy traffic and tour buses. A visit to the region is not complete without a stop at both places and the acquisition of at least one rug. They range in price from around $50 for a small work then steeply upward well into the five figure price range for the large rugs or very tightly woven supreme quality tapestries.

Churro sheep graze free range over field and road in this area of sun parched austere pasture, sandstone mesas, and massive rock formations, but the land gives way to some seasonally green bear and elk country which begins in the foothills of the background Chuska Mountain range where the Toadlena Trading Post is located.

The lush grey rug wool from this Churro sheep has already been harvested for this year.

We concluded our own purchase pondering with the acquisition of this Two Grey Hills classic rug by master weaver Helen Begay. The 19 x 28 inch rug was completed in February of this year. Price $395.

Where Does The American West Begin?

2010-06-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

Just where does the American West begin? Several cities lay claim, but none so tenaciously as Fort Worth, Texas. For them the pivotal point is their own cultural bull's eye--the city's much prized historic stockyard. I prefer the spot identification that award-winning American author Tony Hillerman (1925-2008) pinned in his own hand, now preserved in a plastic sheath on location.

The Two Grey Hills Trading post is authentic, one of the few remaining on the reservation. The post was established in 1897 and has passed through a series of owners. Les Wilson, the present owner, moved to the Navajo reservation from San Diego right after high school graduation to fulfill his ambition of becoming a trader. Sandy and I met Les and his wife Irma about a decade ago. For awhile Sandy made several long trips back to the area where Irma and a few of the area of weavers taught her to spin the wool sheared from their prized Churro sheep. Much to our disappointment both Les & his wife were out today, but we consoled ourselves by purchasing a Two Grey Hills Rug, one of the world's most coveted textiles, from his vault. We concluded our work day with an a la carte picnic of savory mutton ribs, 2 each, from T&R Market just outside of Gallup.

Silver Stars at Window Rock

2010-06-08T16:27:00.001-07:00

Today, Sandy and I attended the Silver Stars exhibit at the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, Arizona. The gallery show featured sample works of some of the most elite Navajo Silversmiths. Most of the jewelry represented was created by living artists. One notable exception was Harry Morgan who died in 2007. He was a highly respected fifth-generation silversmith who was credited at the exhibit for the revival of the classic old style Navajo jewelry in the 1970's when bright shiny Navajo pieces dominated the market. The show was purely exhibit, no sales. I took this picture of the well known giant Window Rock sandstone landmark before heading deep into the reservation to buy a new rug at Two Grey Hills.

Dry Run to Acoma Pueblo

2010-06-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

Sandy and I traveled to the Acoma Pueblo for a second time in the past three weeks to buy a pottery necklace we agreed to purchase when finished. But alas, the famed potter who has probably completed the piece by now was once again not to be found at her home. This visit, however, we took time to ascend the 357 very vertical feet to the top of the Sky City mesa to explore with a tour guide. The inhabitants of this ancient village, continuously occupied since the 12th century or earlier, have no running water. Some is collected in natural cisterns, but the rest is carried up nowadays mostly in plastic water bottles. The image below shows a parched natural cistern. I was attracted to the cracked mud in the middle lower section. Perhaps I can return in the tadpole season, only two months away, to compose a comforting wet view.

(click for enlargement)

Jewelry at Canyon Overlook

2010-06-05T19:33:00.001-07:00

As I regularly scour the Southwest in search of Native American arts to collect and for images worth recording, I often reflect historically on the century old words of legendary Santa Fe merchant J.S. Candelario who wrote in one of his catalogs, "Owing to the well known fact that the Indian goods will soon be a thing of the past, as the new generations are adopting our habits and abandoning those of their ancestors..."

It is very hard to predict what changes the next 100 years will bring, but what I recorded today on a lovely picnic outing to Canyon de Chelly suggests that in some respects times aren't a changing that much. I could not resist presenting this canyon view overlook photograph of a tidy beaded jewelry and sandstone art display in the Edward S. Curtis way. (click for enlargement)

Chess Knight Sterling Silver Bolo

2010-05-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

Here is the highly anticipated shiny sterling silver Paladin knight I first wrote about in this blog on Sunday, May 9, 2010. It was released from the buffer's rugged hands this afternoon. Navajo Eloise Kee was the master silversmith.

The Charm of Acoma Pottery

2010-05-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

I usually turn a blind eye to pottery as I just glide by inhibited by tunnel vision, but ready to fixate on prize-worthy Native American jewelry. Last weekend was different, I was attracted to the pottery matrons of Acoma Pueblo who were showing their pottery shard necklaces at the Native Treasure Art show in Santa Fe. I bought several of the necklaces but in the process of exchange they charmed me into what I now fear will be a new life of unquenchable lust for Acoma pottery created from local Earthen clay by the very same primitive and unaltered methods of their ancestors. The great photographic artist Edward Curtis must have felt moved in a similar way in his travels to visit the Acoma women. I wish I could express the same in masterful picture as he did more than a century ago.

At the Old Well of Acoma

Northwestern University Library, Edward S. Curtis's 'The North American Indian': the Photographic Images, 2001.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award98/ienhtml/curthome.html

Conspicuous Jewelry by Edward S. Curtis

2010-05-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

The North American Indian is the 20 volume culmination of Edward Sheriff Curtis' (1868-1952) epic life work. It features 2,200 photogravures. Curtis cast the American Indian in stylized romantic fashion which set the stereotypes and popular notions of his day in America. His entire monolithic portfolio started in the 1890's and continued over 30 years includes more than 40,000 images. The photographs are generally praised as art works of beauty and for technical expertise, but his work has been roundly criticized for decades especially by ethnologists, historians, and other serious academics. His subjects were frequently outfitted with inaccurate or mingled tribal clothing and idealized accouterments. Anachronistic elements were strictly avoided. These embellishments and historical distortions give the impression of past days of Native American glory when in fact, the American Indian of that era was very often defeated, marginalized, and left to live in squalor with loss of freedom and dignity.

Note how the Zuni girl below is poised to show her excessive jewelry in overt exaggeration.

Northwestern University Library, Edward S. Curtis's 'The North American Indian': the Photographic Images, 2001.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award98/ienhtml/curthome.html

As a connoisseur of ethnic jewelry, I can appreciate the body adornments and physical beauty of his Zuni subject, but it does leave me uncomfortable as an overall false and staged portrayal. In contrast, look below at his sensitive 1905 rendition of the heavily wrinkled Apache Geronimo. It's a classic portrait of this legendary man near the end of his seemingly impossible life. I chose the image to illustrate one of Edward Sheriff's Curitis' many gifts of legacy to posterity. I think it is beyond criticism.

Northwestern University Library, Edward S. Curtis's 'The North American Indian': the Photographic Images, 2001.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award98/ienhtml/curthome.html

Marilyn Ray, Potter of Acoma

2010-05-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

Marilyn Ray is an acclaimed pottery maker from the Pueblo of Acoma who specializes in storyteller figurines. I was happy to see that her clay creations extend into the realm of wearable art. The reversible pendant pictured above is created from Acoma clay and is processed in the same way as her elaborate storyteller figurines. I am excited about exploirng this arena of Native American jewelry which is all new to me. Acoma, here I come!

The Silversmith's Daughter

2010-05-25T00:30:00.000-07:00

This catalog is typical of those distributed in the 1930's. The copying of Indian Jewelry has been problematic for Native Americans for over a century. Today the anxiety and legal actions have if anything increased despite laws designed to help protect the livelihood of Native American artists. Even though the cover image is deceptive, I have to give the Arrow Novelty Co. some minor credit for honestly calling their machine manufactured jewelry, "Indian Design." The introduction to this catalogue reads:

INDIAN DESIGN

Coin Silver Jewelry

We present this catalogue to our customers in the hope it will help stimulate the sale of this popular line of Indian design Silver Jewelry, which is strictly American in idea, design and manufacture. It is made of 900 fine silver--the same compositon of metal as used in coining American Silver Dollars.

Most of the jewelry in this wholesale catalogue is sold by the dozen lot. Simple stamped bracelets were marketed to dealers for as little as $6.00 per dozen.

The Silversmith's Daughter picture that graces the brochure is actually printed backward. Her jewelry, unlike that in the catalogue, is authentic Native American. A colorized commerical post of her image is available for sale through Allposters.com.

Silversmith’s Daughter January 1920 by JR Willis, Library of Congress, Photo Lot 59, LOC, Small Mounts, Tribe Id, Navaho, People Unid, 1 03275400, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Grandeur of the Artists' Land #1

2010-05-24T18:01:00.000-07:00

On researching the late 1880 to 1901 work of my photo forefather Ben Wittick, I came across an image he took of Churchrock on Navajoland. I learned I will need to take a short hike to get into his actual Kodak feet for a similar image. Circumstances did not allow me time today. Instead, I settled for this nearby image just an hour ago.

<>

Ben Wittick's Studio Jewelry & Pottery

2010-05-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

I am cognizant of the historical importance of Edward Sheriff Curtis' voluminous body of work and the contributions of other pioneering frontier photographers like Adam Clark Vorman, John Grabill, and Camillus "Buck” Sidney Fly. Nonetheless, I think of Ben Wittick (1845-1903) as the finest of all the early photographers whose work documented Western Native Americans widely perceived as inexorably disappearing from the landscape under the relentless expansion of a new dominant American culture. Ben Wittick had a photography studio in Gallup, New Mexico in the late 1880's which he later moved as his last studio operation 15 miles East to Ft. Wingate. Much of his work was done in the studio where he used props liberally. These included, painted backgrounds, regional plants, guns, pottery, and jewelry especially concho belts and naja necklaces. The image here is of the Navajo Woman, Old Washie (Credit Ben Wittick Collection Laboratory of Anthropology, Inc. Santa Fe, New Mexico). Ben Wittick had a special affinity for the Hopi Indians. He was the first known photographer to take images of the Hopi snake dances. He died in 1903 from a rattlesnake bite while collecting rattlesnakes for his Hopi friends. Many Americans do not know the Ben Wittick name, but most will recognize one of his most famous images taken in 1887, Geronimo!

Native Treasures: Indian Arts Festival 2010

2010-05-23T16:01:00.000-07:00

photo by Carol Franco
Today Sandy and I experienced the joy of attending Santa Fe's only museum-quality Indian Arts Festival. More than 180 of the best in the Native American Art world were gathered in the comfort of the Santa Fe Convention Center. The work was simply stellar throughout the exhibit room. It would have taken at least a couple of hundred thousand dollars to satisfy my inventory acquisition desire. I had to settle for much less, but the satisfaction of meeting new artists and seeing new creations kept things in balance. This show was the 6th since inception. The show benefits the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture; 25% of each sale goes to the Museum’s programs. I had a particular focus on the pottery-jewelry connection and I will have more to write on the subject, but for now I'd like to bring reader's attention to the work of Laguna Pueblo silversmith Mark Stevens. He honors the art of the past through his contemporary jewelry creations. He collects local Anasazi pottery shards which he then uses to create replica silver jewelry pieces before returning the shards to their place of ancient rest.

The Nugget Gallery - Gallup, New Mexico

2010-05-21T07:11:00.001-07:00

Gallup, New Mexico is the undisputed trading hub of the Native American Arts Industry. In our small city of less than 25,000 residents Native American jewelry stores are so plentiful they can be counted by the dozen. The Nugget Gallery is one that stands apart in distinction and place a couple of miles off the beaten path of heavily store lined Old Route 66. To find the Nugget Gallery go South on 2nd street until you see the store sign on the right of the road. The store is densely packed with Native American treasures of all sorts. Whenever I visit I'm delightfully reminded of an 1880 interior image of Jakes Gold's legendary Old Curio Shop in Santa Fe, N.M. The Nugget Gallery has a scattered array of vintage and new Native American Jewelry, a wide selection of old and new pottery, Pendleton blankets, historic Native American clothing, a fabulous collection of Zuni and Hopi Kachinas, and much more to discover. The owners know their business and the artists very well. And they know how to coddle the store dog who loves resting on his own Chief Joseph Pendleton blankets.

A Simple & Elegantly Beautiful Squash Blossom Necklace

2010-05-20T23:08:00.001-07:00

I found the elegant beauty of this old pawn necklace of sterling silver and mother of pearl enticing and irresistible. I could not find any name connection with the hallmark HBC and I have no idea of the era in which it was hand forged and set with the dazzling white gift of mollusk. This is an unmistakable treasure and appropriate for formal wear in the Southwest, but the appeal is timeless and universal. Price $450.

Cut, Hammer, File

2010-05-20T19:39:00.000-07:00

This is an impressive 1915 image by William J. Carpenter of an early Navajo Silversmith at work in his hogan. Click for an enlargement and note his tools, horse tack, hat, blanket, and the coins which were used as a smith's primary source of silver in those days. As I have stood and watched notable modern day silversmiths like Ella Kee and Calvin Begay fashion new designs from silver, I have often thought of this historic reference image and noted that not much has changed in the past 100 years. Sure they have now have good vices, a full anvil, stool and workbench, and steady music from their radios, but it's still mostly cut, hammer, and file by hand in the old fashion Navajo way.

Silversmith Training for Navajo's with Disabilities

2010-05-19T21:46:00.000-07:00

This sign tells its own story. The billboard, no longer in place, was located just outside of Gallup. I captured the image in 2008.

Grey Moustache - Photo Not Available

2010-05-19T10:17:00.000-07:00

Mr. John Adair, a social anthropologist, wrote that when he asked silversmith Grey Moustache of Sunrise Springs, Arizona for permission to take his photograph, he replied:

"No, I won't let you do that. I don't have any of my turquoise and silver on. People who see it will say, 'Why that Navajo doesn't have anything at all.' I would feel like a chicken with all its feathers plucked out."

Source: The Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths, Volume 25 in The Civilization of the American Indian Series." © 1944

Affordable Spurs

2010-05-18T06:54:00.000-07:00

I do not often encounter spurs made or enhanced by Native American silversmiths, but I like to keep at least one pair up at all times. The last pair of spurs I had on hand and sadly had to let go were magnificent, blue ribbon, prize winning, sterling silver beauties appraised at $6000 (see blog entry 9/25/2008). These spurs are cheap in comparison, but then again they are made of nickel silver and brass. Navajo Silvermith Lorraine Bahe Livingstone set the yokes of these spurs with 28 turquoise cabochons. Price $249.

Fossil Bracelet

2010-05-17T07:05:00.001-07:00

This unique bracelet created by the well known Navajo silversmith P.J. Begay is a paleontologist's delight. The 14 teardrop amber (fossilized tree resin) cabochons complement the bracelet's fossiliferous stone centerpiece. Getting a stone to show a fossil creature is a challenge because of the time demands and high material wastage in finding a satisfactory slice to reveal the prehistoric contents in a display worthy manner and shape. This bracelet has bezels set on an open frame created from 3 adjoined strands of heavy gauge half dome sterling silver wire. A bonus feature is the clearly visible sawdust behind the amber cabochons-click on image for more detail. Sawdust has been used for the backing of stones since the inception of the bezel holder. The price tag on this amazingly unique piece is $499. Be discreet in wearing around your geology friends for they will surely covet your rare find.

Cripple Creek Ribbon Turquoise

2010-05-16T15:12:00.001-07:00

Cripple Creek in Teller, Colorado, like many other mines in the Southwest, is more commonly associated with gold fortune than turquoise yield. Turquoise is simply a byproduct of gold digging operations. Turquoise is normally found in veins in surrounding rock matrix in the way the turquoise above is shown imbeded in the cabochon. Ribbon turquoise, also called boulder turquoise, is very common. Rarely, one will find a fleck of gold in a piece, but I've not yet had that little lottery pleasure. Nonetheless, I think ribbon turquoise makes a beautiful gem piece. Oscar Alexsius has done a great job of showcasing this prize worthy cabochon in a traditional Navajo sterling silver bracelet. Price tag $389.

The Original Trading Post

2010-05-15T07:49:00.000-07:00

click for enlargement

I have always been visually intrigued with the colorful facade of this store because it contrasts so sharply with the surrounding adobes of the Santa Fe Plaza area, and I have passed by many times over the years believing it to be little more than a common souvenir shop of no interest to me. That was before my discovery of Jonathan Batkin's scholarly book, THE NATIVE AMERICAN CURIO TRADE IN NEW MEXICO. I subsequently realized that for Indian Arts aficionados and dealers, this piece of commercial real estate is hallowed ground. It has changed very little since 1901 when Jake Gold, after his forced banishment, returned to Santa Fe to partner in opening this curio store with his pawn broker friend J.S. Candalerio. For most of the last century it was a must see attraction in Santa Fe for the common tourists and many a famous personality. Today, its charm and history is most often overlooked, and even when mentioned, it is not emphasized in the guidebooks of Santa Fe. The jewelry cases and back wall of the store are still crowded with authentic Native American silver and stone treasures and the postcard rack is full as it has always been. This place is still a must stop for the enlightened and it is worth making a purchase even if only to claim with a wink and a nod, "I got it at Jake Gold's old curio store" in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Gold's Free Museum

2010-05-13T07:40:00.001-07:00

Photo courtesy of the Jeffrey Kraus Collection, www.antiquephotographics.com (click for enlargement)

Jake Gold's Old Curiosity Shop (aka Gold's Free Museum) was the first Indian curio business established in Santa Fe. The ramshackle old adobe building with wood carrying burros in front of and or around the corner on Burro Alley made this innovative curio shop on San Francisco street a favorite subject for photographers of the late 19th century. The deliberately cluttered and thick dusted interior of his ancient appearing place was equally alluring to tourists. Jake Gold, a brilliant salesman, cast himself as a man worthy of a souvenir portrait card as a moustached, frilly leather jacketed rugged frontiersman complete with a muzzle-loaded pistol stuck in his braided shash belt. He was equally colorful in discourse, "The tourists want to hear tales, and I am here to administer the same." Jake Gold's hugely successful curio store and pioneering mail order catalogs faded as his legal troubles mounted and his health declined, but his spirit lives on today in a yellow store still with the carreta on the roof just a few doors away and on the same side of the street, the subject of my next blog.

Oscar's Bisbee Turquoise Western Buckle

2010-05-12T15:20:00.000-07:00

Bisbee turquoise from the Arizona town of the same name has an interesting source history worth Googling for detail specifics. Like so many Navajo silversmiths from Gallup, Oscar Alexius is a veteran of glory rodeo days as a bull rider. He is historically distinguished as one of a group of Gallup silversmiths, which includes Harry Morgan, credited with reviving old-style traditional Navajo Indian jewelry. The Bisbee turquoise cabochon in this fine buckle measure 1 1/2 x 1 3/4 inches. The buckle is 3 1/4 inches horizontally. Price is $359. I hope it finds a place of ownership honor with an Arizona cowboy.

Resplendant Broken Arrow Turquoise

2010-05-11T17:06:00.000-07:00

This brilliant emerald green cabochon of Broken Arrow Turquoise is beautifully accentuated in an "old style" pawn setting by noted Navajo Silversmith PJ Begay of Gallup. It is one of the most eye-catching pieces of turquoise I have ever personally encountered. Price $379.

Swirls of Colors by Phyllis Coonsis

2010-05-11T12:26:00.000-07:00

As Sandy and I strolled happily down the time-honored Native American vendor's sidewalk showcase that is part of the Santa Fe Palace of the Governors this past Saturday, I recognized the distinct jewelry of Phyllis Coonis, a Zuni artisan of note. It was then that I looked up and greeted her. Of the several dozen artists selling their work, she was the only one I recognized and that was of course through her signature jewelry. Zuni is about 4 hours away from Santa Fe by straight drive. Gallup a little less so it's not often I find one of our regional artists vending on the Plaza. This historic portal area is a must if you go to the Santa Fe. The Palace of the Governors was built in 1610 and holds the distinction of being the oldest continually occupied public building in the United States. Most of the Native American jewelry offered on the covered sidewalk leans on the souvenir quality side, but some of it, like anything by Phyllis is heirloom worthy. Phyllis's business card reads in part: Swirl of Colors, Zuni Jewelry by Phyllis Coonsis. The backside is imprinted: "Sterling Silver Jewelry set with the following Stones and Shells: Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, Malachite, Black Pen Shel, Mother of Pearl, Gold Lip Mother of Pearl, Purple, Red & Orange Spiney Oyster, Pink Mussel Shell, Gaspeite, Jet, White Clam, Abalone, & Wild Horse." Earrings pictured are $139.

Paladin Knight

2010-05-09T21:23:00.000-07:00

In 1957 CBS launched one of the most successful TV Westerns of all time, Have Gun Will Travel, starring Richard Boone as Paladin. He was a supremely intelligent and highly moral gunfighter who basked in refined luxury and the finest raiments at the San Francisco Carlton Hotel when he was not traveling about as a glorious black-clad knight-errant throughout the American West in the decade following the Civil War. Paladin was a ployglot, a wine judge, an epicurean, opera buff, piano player, chess master, and a scholar well versed in literature and history. He often quoted great authors like Homer, Shakespeare, Plato, and Keats. Women reflexively swooned in his presence. He was a graduate of West Point and a celebrated Union officer in the Civil War. It seems he had it all. In short, he was mortal, but a super-hero.

I've always thought it would be nice to have a knight bolo similar to the one that decorated the outside of Paladin's black holster. So getting back to Indian Jewelry, I asked Sandy to sculpt a rough prototype. Today I took it in for the Navajo silversmith to take over and start carving in wax so it can be poured in sterling silver. I can't wait for the first one to strap on my neck. I might even wait for the first formal wearing on my next adventure back to the epicenter of cowboy cool country, e.g. Santa Fe, NM.

New Mexico Tourist Trap?

2010-05-09T17:29:00.000-07:00

click for enlargement

It is not uncommon for many fine citizens of the Southwest to refer to places like the Continental Divide Indian Market (20 miles East of Gallup) as a tourist trap, but then again many Italians categorize the Leaning Tower of Pisa also as a tourist trap. Merchandising roadside tourist attractions like the Indian Market offer not only much needed highway breaks, but also some really cheap buying, mostly of the souvenir variety. The establishment above has all sort things, mostly attractive to the young generations, ice cream bars, t-shirts, key chains, firecrackers, cheap imported "Indian-like" jewelry, playing cards, imported "Indian blankets", cups, bumper stickers, toy bow and arrow sets, Indian head feathers, cap guns, toy rifles, plastic bags of cowboys and Indians, and much more. Although limited, they also have authentic handmade regional Native American jewelry in the showcase, some of it worth passing down to future generations. These places make memorable stops for children and a good restroom break for the whole family. So consider adding some colorful tourist character to your next trip, after all tourism is the world's leading peace time industry.

I purchased the $4.98 bolo tie on my visit at the above "tourist trap" this weekend. It is an obvious import of base metal alloy probably from China and certainly it contrasts with my usual high class gold and silver bolos. Nonetheless, I consider it a treasure finding of sorts and I plan to wear to my next poker game.

By the way, I loved visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I saw it as worthy of it's designation as one of the 7 wonders of the Medieval World. I guess I missed the "tourist trap" part.

The Best in Western Wear

2010-05-08T20:26:00.001-07:00

La Fonda Hotel at the very terminus of the Old Santa Fe Trail has long been a favorite lodging choice in New Mexico. It vibrates with history and charm and it draws me in on many of my frequent trips to Santa Fe. It's an ideal focal point for any cowboy who wants to get outfitted in high Western fashion. O'Farrell's hattery is just across the street is my number one choice in felt hat, but it does take a fat wad of $100 bills to get a custom fit O'Farrell atop your head; the designs are options are unbeatable. I also love looking over their huge selection of hatbands, many are Native American handcrafted. Across the street within the walls of La Fonda is my favorite belt shop, Tom Taylor. In Gallup you can find many a good buckle, but good leather belts are just not there. But Tom Taylor has it all. They sell well crafted elegant buckles from a number of places, but currently their sole supplier of Native American choices are from the BG Mudd Company located in Gallup. BG Mudd employees Navajo and Zuni artisans who make spectacular pure sterling and inlay buckles. You can see a good overview at their website: http://www.tomtaylorbuckles.com/. If you like to shop the best in Western wear these two places are must-stops in Santa Fe.

Voice of the Earth--A New Deal Art Legacy

2010-05-08T17:46:00.000-07:00

This 1932 wall fresco was created by the New Deal Artist
Will Shuster (1863-1969) as part of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of New Mexico. Note the prominence of their squash blossom necklaces. The bottom dangle piece is called a naja derived from the Navajo word " Najahe", meaning cresant. Native American Indian silver based jewelry has permeated this region of the country since the Navajos were introduced to the art in the mid 1800's. I find the history as interesting as the art and I am grateful for its permanence and ongoing evolution of style.

Strolling Santa Fe

2010-05-08T16:23:00.000-07:00

Click for enlargement

Sandy and I often travel the 190 miles from Gallup to Santa Fe for rest, recreation, and awe-inspiring gourmet food that's hard to get back home. I also like to get an overview of our regional Native artist's presence in the town, now recognized the world over as a tourist mecca. Today, on our way to the Georgia O'Keeffe museum, I fixated on the jewelry display in this shop window. Most of the work is by Gallup based artists I know. In fact, I see through to Gallup again and again as I gaze through the many store windows and jewelry display cases throughout the plaza of Santa Fe and I am thankful our artists have this fabulous world-class showcase. This evening we hope to follow-up our museum visit by sharing a bowl of popcorn as we watch the 2009 biopic, Georgia O'Keeffe, about her and husband Alfred Steiglitz.

Ruddell's Horse

2010-05-06T18:38:00.001-07:00

Here's another quality pin/pendant by my Zuni friend Ruddell Laconsello. Actually, he and his wife work together as a team, but I have forgotten their usual division of duties. The stones on this 1 3/8 inch diameter pen/pendant include, turquoise, coral, lapis, Acoma jet, and pipestone all masterfully inlaid into shiny steriling silver. Price $279.

Ruddell Laconsello's Sea Serpent

2010-05-06T16:40:00.000-07:00

Kolowissi (Serpent of the Sea), is a benevolent, Zuni mythological character and one Ruddell likes to set in silver. This past weekend, as I just recently wrote in this blog, I met up with him at the pueblo dances in Zuni. The event was unforgettable and part of that was having Ruddell at my side to answer my many questions and alert me to the highlights of the celebration. I did not buy anything from him this weekend, we never looked at his jewelry; instead. I found this pin/pendant at Ray's Trading Company here in Gallup, one of my favorite hangouts and places to buy. I also bought a 2nd piece which I may blog a little later. At one point this weekend as Ruddell and I watched the Zuni Kachinas, I briefly told him of my last Hopi buying trip. He said "Hopi silverwork just blows me away." Wow, what a note of praise considering it comes from one of the best Zuni jewelry artisans of all time. Priceless? Well, no this serpent jewelry pin pendant with all it's mystical appeal comes at cost of only $549.

Pueblo Traders in Zuni

2010-05-02T18:53:00.001-07:00

I stopped and bought a wholesaler's batch of jewelry the last time I seriously shopped Zuni. If this place is as it was then, it's a good place to buy either retail or wholesale. Most of the Zuni artists travel to Gallup on a regular basis, but it is adventageous to the Pueblo and the local artists for folks to buy there. There is huge demand for outlets for Native American arts. I think the Internet has likely been very beneficial in opening international markets especially with jewelry which can be shipped easily and with economy.

Halona Plaza, Back from Zuni Pueblo, Part 4

2010-05-02T17:42:00.000-07:00

This is it, the only place to stay in Zuni. The B&B accessible from the back is real charmer. They offer 5 rooms, each is small but very clean and pleasant. A really nice touch was the pink woolen Pendleton Chief Joseph blanket I found at the foot of my bed. Breakfast made to order was wonderful. The Plaza store is like a mini Super-Walmart. It has a deli specializing in fried chicken, a meat market with fresh cut mutton and beef, cooking pots and pans, bolts of fabric, Pendleton blankets, yarn, all manner of non-prescription drugs, toys, Zuni breads, and best of all raw stones for jewelers including turquoise, jet, abalone, and mother of pearl. It also has those ancient creaky plank wooden floors. I'll be taking Sandy back in a few weeks. She can't wait to go now that I've tested and given high approval. And, best of all for us, this hidden jewel of Zuni is a mere 50 minutes from our home in Gallup.

Rain Dancer Kachinas, Back from Zuni, Part 3

2010-05-02T15:46:00.000-07:00

Photography of ceremonial events is strictly prohibited, but I wanted to give a visual representation of the colorful rain dancers. The ceremonial dance group consisted of about 40 very similarly outfitted rain dancers interspersed among them were about 10 entertaining mud men Kachinas. There were 4 corn maiden Kachina girls and one singularly unique fellow who appeared to have a leadership role as chief or priest. There were a couple of Kachinas on the drum but they mostly escaped my view. The percussion instrumentation provided a pleasant accompaniment to the chant of the rain dancers. The mud men were well done and variety in size from normal to very obese. The rain dancers were much more uniform in size. It was their costumes that fascinated me. They each looked like they might have just stepped out of a Hollywood make-up room; yes, they were expertly goomed. They had collars leggings of recently harvested evergreen fern uniformly cut like a fresh hair trim. They wore decorative loin cloths, head masks with prominent snouts as in the representative picture, moccasins,macaw feather accents, and they were rump-draped with coyote and fox pelts. I was particularly interested in their jewelry which showed the biggest variation. They wore beads, and turquoise necklaces, ketohs (bow guards), and sterling silver bracelets.

At one point all but mud men left the arena. They then played some type of game with a small sac they kicked around. They humorously wrestled and pushed about. The crowd laughed, but it the small boy who cackled in merriment that accented the performance for me.

When the Kachinas returned they brought in large baskets filled with goods. They began throwing Frisbees, plastic kool-aide drinks, packed Ramen noodles, fruits, candy, saltine crackers, frisbees, and much more high up to the encircled crowd. I ended up with an apple and orange which I prompted gave to the teen boy beside me.

I wanted to get a representation of a good Rain Dancer Kachina. Ruddell pointed me to the home of a notable Kachina maker within the plaza, but I didn't find it practical to seek him out at that hour or to find him the next morning. The image you see here, is a two dimensional plywood cut out 1/2 home to Gallup from Zuni. Joe has a whole series of faux-Kachinas lined up next to his place. Joe Milo's is another classic. Stop in to see him if you ever travel the highway that connects Galup and Zuni.

Dowa Yalanee (Corn Mountain) - Back from Zuni, Part 2

2010-05-02T14:06:00.000-07:00

click for enlargement

I think my roof-top simultaneous view of Corn Mountain, bathed in the golden soft light of late afternoon transformed my first rain dance into a visual experience that seemed heaven nurtured. An onlooker sitting ring-side on the lower roof in the time of the vintage photograph of the previous post would probably not have seen Corn Mountain. This mountain rises to an elevation of 7,235 feet and has served not only as a spiritual landmark, but also as place of refuge as occurred in 1540 when Coronado descended on the Zuni lands.

As the rain-dance began to conclude for the night, I ran back across the Zuni River to my pickup and raced to catch the light on Dowa Yalanee before nightfall descended. The hustle was unnecessary, I had plenty of time, but the clouds are often unpredictable and the light at risk of going flat. As I looked back, I saw the rain clouds moving in. This morning the ground was soaked with wet snow.

Back from Zuni Pueblo, Part 1

2010-05-02T11:30:00.000-07:00

from the Collection of the Denver Public Library, taken 1880-1900 (click for enlarged view)

I have always lamented the loss of the long vanished view of the Zuni Pueblo in the heyday of its bold grandeur and character. Actually, I've even avoided Zuni for the most part for several reasons. It's not really in any crossroads area. The jewelry for sale there is pretty much identical to that found in Gallup. The village itself is not picturesque. If the adobe structures, including the very popular hornos (outdoor ovens) were to be extracted along with the Indian Arts building on the main street through town, the community would be very comparable visually to mainstream rural America: prefab homes, double wides, trailer homes, panel sided structures, many cars, a cross-studded graveyard, and a few scattered brick, mortar, and stone houses, etc.

My overnight trip to Zuni from exit from my front door to return was only 19 hours, but I have to say it was one of the top ten trips of my life. What happened? I've for years appreciated the amazingly beautiful and intricate jewelry that the Pubelo is admired for throughout the world, but until yesterday I'd never seen the inner beauty of the community. My vision yesterday was probably as brilliant as that of the large-format exploratory photographers and adventurous anthropologists of the late 19th century. The essential ingredient of my mystical view was the rain-dance performed as it has been for hundreds of years in the plaza, the very plaza where the people are standing in the vintage photo above. The pueblo is now less adobe, much of it machine cut stone, and at best it is only about 4 stories high. Nonetheless, I stood spell bound on the roof along with my good Zuni friend, a famed jeweler, Ruddell Laconsello, and witnessed a moving cultural and religious rain-dance ceremony. It was there and then that I finally saw the glorious light of Zuni, both past and present!

Blustery Snow Day in Gallup

2010-04-30T18:12:00.000-07:00

As I was driving to pickup some jewelry today, I noticed the sign pictured bathed in a very pleasant, soft and beautiful light, but I passed by before I decided to photograph. I decided to delay an image capture for my trip back which was to be quick, but an hour later the great light had vanished and a blustery spring snow storm storm was was well underway. I pushed my pickup truck into the mud beside the highway to avoid traffic and captured the quick shot above as the snow blew into my face and compromised my lens.

I rarely go to Richardson's but it is a tourist delight. Still a little shy of centennial celebration time, it is one of the oldest trading companies in the region. It is the best place in town to see Navajo rugs, and they deal in most everything else involving Native Americans art from this region of the country. Richardson's is a classic, be sure to visit when you come to our town.

I'm hoping for better weather tomorrow. I am headed to the puebl0 of Zuni for an overnight visit. I hope to catch the dance celebrations they plan for tomorrow tonight. Stay tuned.

Donovan Skeets

2010-04-30T17:40:00.000-07:00

(click for larger image)

When I first met Donovan Skeets he was carrying a small basket of two dozen unfinished silver bracelets. They were bezel empty and as black as night still waiting to be set with quality stone and shined up to mirror brillance. Donovan got his start in the jewelry work room at Desert Indian Traders here in Gallup. As a very young man his entry job was as a silver buffer. He watched between buffing sessions and then he began practicing product construction with small silver pieces. He carefully observed and learned the techniques of the silver men like Gilbert Tom and Augustine Largo who shared the studio. Today he considers himself an old style specialist. The jewelry artists whose work he most admires include the late Harry Morgan and Harry's son Greg Pat. The folks at the shop told me that Donovan, now a mature silversmith, still likes to buff. The necklace/earring set above is set with Turquoise mountain turquoise from the Kingman mine area of Arizona. Price $399.

Wilford Begay's Sterling Kachina

2010-04-30T11:35:00.000-07:00

This half-pound, 11 inch Eagle dancer by Navajo Wilford Begay is a noteworthy treasure. I wanted it for my own small collection of kachinas, but I've so far managed to keep my wallet in my pocket. Sammy at Desert Indian Traders allowed me to take it to my photography studio today. I returned the glistening master work back a few minutes ago so it is once again on the shelf for show and eventual sale. Price $2,600.

Gallup's Annual Inter-Tribal Ceremony 2010

2010-04-28T18:18:00.000-07:00

click for detail

On my way about Gallup today, it occurred to me that I had written up the piece on the Santa Fe Indian Market, but failed to even think of encouraging my blog readers to consider attending the 89th Gallup Annual Inter-Tribal Ceremony. I intended to stop by the Chamber of Commerce to see if there were any promotional materials, such as postcards or the annual poster was available for distribution, but minor distractions led me to forget to check. I felt a bit down this evening having a time-sensitive subject without an image until I remembered the picture above which I shot for the Joe Viesti & Associates stock files just a few months ago. Wow, I believe this image of a large mural on one of Gallup's downtown building-side makes a great promotional piece. Besides its brillant, full color beauty, I appreciate the accuracy and comprehensive detail in portraying the arts we so enjoy here in Gallup. This year's ceremony will be held August 11-15. Now is the time to reserve a room since a single day here is just not enough for the full experience and lodging choices outside of Gallup are very distant even by our vast Western standards. I might add that one of my all time favorite visual memories is from 1980, it was the Zuni High School band marching in the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremony Parade. Their decorative jewelry, most silverly, was amazing and unforgettable.

Alfred Martinez

2010-04-27T15:24:00.000-07:00

Beautiful, just beautiful. This dazzling sterling silver bracelet set with coveted number 8 turquoise was forged at the workbench of Alfred Martinez. Uncle Augustino Largo taught him how to work silver when he was still a kid. Alfred's own personal favorite smith is Calvin Mariano, his older brother, who works beside him making similarly beautiful pieces. Most any day they can both be found producing fine classical style silver products in the workroom of Desert Indian Traders here in Gallup. I asked Alfred what silversmith he most admires 2nd to his brother. He said that would be Robert Kelly. Alfred is a quiet Navajo man who is quick to flash a broad, friendly smile. He told me he most enjoys dabbling in car mechanics when he's not busy working silver. This lifetime treasure bracelet is very reasonably priced at $399.

2010 Santa Fe Indian Market

2010-04-27T06:15:00.000-07:00

Santa Fe's biggest yearly event will be held on the Plaza August 21 and 22 of this year. The Santa Fe Indian Market is recognized as the world's most prestigous Indian arts event; it has been an annual event since 1922. Approximately 1200 Native American from 100 different tribes participate. The event is centered on the Plaza but the approximately 600 booths spill out on the side streets in all directions available for expansion. It is a great place to meet many of the famous artists. You will see the best in jewelry, kachina, rugs, baskets, and more.

If you plan to go better reserve a room now. The town sells out. I think the next best place for lodging is in Bernalillo about 35 miles south. Albuquerque is located another 10 miles down the road from Bernalillo.

I came home Sunday and began my preparation for this year's market by sketching the bear head. Sandy added the bear paw bolo. I plan to wear my white Stetson and the T-shirt as shown. The back says, "Hi, I am Wilford." If you see me there, please introduce yourself.

Flower and Blanket

2010-04-26T16:25:00.000-07:00

Indian Blankets are perinneal wildflowers scientifically labelled Gallardia. They pop up each Spring throughout this country. The name, Blanket Flower or Indian Blanket Flower is derived from the color arrangement of its component hues commonly found in the historic Indian trade blanket. At the turn of the 20th century, the Oregon based Pendleton Mills started producing striking woolen blankets based on designs of the nearby Umatilla and Cayuse tribes. Today Pendleton Indian Blankets are very popular with Indians of the Southwest and commonly marketed in many of our area trading posts. Their popularity has never waned. The Pendleton company now regularly introduces commemorative blankets such the one shown above that I discovered on a recent jewelry buying trip. The most memorable is the Chief Joseph Blanket (I've bought a dozen or more as gifts over the past twenty years) was first marketed in the 1920's and is still in production. It was designed to celebrate the heroism of Chief Joseph whose profound words on surrender are among the most poignant in the annals of recorded history, "...we have no blankets; the little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are—perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."

If you are ever in Gallup consider stopping by the Ellis Tanner Trading Company for a brand new or an old pawn Chief Joseph Pendelton Blanket. While you are there you may want to purchase a piece of Navajo or Zuni jewelry and chow down on some mutton and fry bread. If you want more, ask the butcher for a fresh leg of lamb to carry home.

(the insets above show the flower described and the full Tamaya blanket)

Zuni Wolves by a Son of Masters

2010-04-25T06:01:00.000-07:00

As noted in the previous blog, I went out in search of a piece of one of the Zuni masters from the class of '75, '76, or '77, but I found myself completely snagged once again by the expert work and appealing animal subject of a son of two of those masters, Dennis and Nancy Edaakie. This spectacular bolo/ western buckle set is finely crafted in highly reflective sterling silver with inlayed stones which include abalone, mother of pearl, acoma jet, coral, and turquoise. Price $1200 for the set. Please click on image for better detail.

I made reservations to stay next weekend at the Inn at Holona, a B&B which is the only place for guests to stay at the Zuni Pueblo. I hope to return with an abundance of historical facts, a few choice photos, and much to blog about.

Addicted to Kachina

2010-04-24T16:54:00.000-07:00

After writing up the previous blog, I went in search of a new name brand piece of Zuni jewelry to feature. I found a found a fine bolo buckle set to write about, then on my way out of the wholesale showroom I caught a glimpse of this version of Mogwu, the Great Horned Owl Katchina, a constant favorite of Hopi kachina carvers. These fine warring owls often appear in mixed kachina dances and serve to discipline the clowns who can get outrageously out of control. I am concerned that I am falling into addiction once again with these masterful carvings of cottonwood root. Hopi Kachina's begin at around $200. The elaborate intricately carved large blue ribbon winners command prices often in excess of $10,000. This guy was marked $1000. I am tempted to start buying them for retail sale, but I am concerned about their fragility on shipping. When you see a Kachina take note of the jewelry they wear. This owl is wearing four turquoise items. It may be hard to find Hopi jewelry for sale in Gallup, but Hopi Ceremonial Kachina carvings are plentiful.

Zuni Master Jewelry Artisans of '75, '76, and 1977

2010-04-24T08:44:00.000-07:00

I owe a debt of gratitude to Ed and Barabara Bell for their work in producing these three historic volumes that show the masterful artisans of Zuni as they were more than 30 years ago. The first volume was published in 1975 the next two in successive years. The Bells dedicated volume 1 to "the people of Zuni to show our apprecation of their gracious human qualities and the beauty of their workmanship." These books can rarely be found on the used market, but most Native American jewelry stores in Gallup have them readily available for quick reference. Many a Zuni jewelry offering is considered to be enhanced if the craftsman is "in the book." In most cases the jewelry makers in these volumes, often both husband and wife of a team, are shown in portrait and their skill mainfestly revealed by well done color photographs of representative samples of their creations. Famous surnames represented include Bowekaty, Cellicion, Gasper, Haloo, Kallesteqa, Natachu, Quam, Weebothee, Zunie, Pinto, Waatsa, Leekity, Bowannie, Panteah, Lonjose, Calavaza, and many more.

A Little Sterling Silver Rabbit

2010-04-23T18:23:00.000-07:00

This little sandcast rabbit pendant is the only piece of its kind I've ever seen on Hopi. All the other work I've seen in Hopi Land is finely finished. So little jackrabbit is a curiousity to me. I plan to keep it as such so it will not be going to market.

A Glimpse of History: The Gallup Indian Jewelry Co.

2010-04-23T16:51:00.000-07:00

The cover and inside double page shown above are from a company now long gone from Gallup. The catalog is not dated, but I think it is from the 1950's. The introductory paragraphs read:

"In 1865, when the Indians first began to make Indian Jewelry, the Charles Ilfeld Company was founded. This pioneer firm is the parent organization of the Gallup Indian Jewelry Company. Their reputation for fine quality quality and high standards is illustrated and amplified by these outstanding lines of jewelry and other Indian creations from Gallup, The Indian Capital of the World.

Since the days of the Spanish Conquistadores, the Indian silversmith has wrought the symbols of his customs on Silver Jewelry and other forms of art.

Today, due to his unique skill, the American Indian is entirely self supporting"

Nelson Morgan Sterling Kachinas

2010-04-22T21:58:00.000-07:00

Navajo Nelson Morgan has been making jewelry for a long while, but his jewelry is a recent discovery for me. He specializes in kachinas of silver. His well crafted work makse for worthy collectibles and showpieces and all are very reasonably priced. This particular jewel would be the talk of the table at most any tea party back in England. I also like the wear options he has built into this gem. The custom necklace solid and link chain attached is easily removed so it can be replaced on another chain; it can also be worn as a pendant; however, I think the ideal display is as a neck & upper torso adornment, at that tea party of course. Price $349

Wilford's Snake

2010-04-20T15:31:00.001-07:00

Snakes are rarely, if ever, represented in Navajo jewelry. Effie Calavaza, a Zuni woman, is famous for her signature snake jewelry, but they are not commonly portrayed. The Hopi people on the other hand treat the snakes with reverence. Theodore Roosevelt,"a former great chief at Washington" as he referred to himself, attended their snake dances about a century ago. He wrote, "the snakes, brothers of men, as all living things in the Hopi creed, are besought to tell beings of the underworld man's need of water...at last all the snakes were in the hands of the dancers. Then all were thrown at the foot of the natural stone pillar, and immediately, with a yell, the dancers leaped in, seized, each of them, several snakes, and rushed away, east, west, north, and south, dashing over the edge of the cliff and jumping like goats down the precipitous trails. At the foot of the cliff, or on the plain, they dropped the snakes, and then returned to purify themselves by drinking and washing from pails of dark sacred water—medicine water—brought by the women. It was a strange and most interesting ceremony all through...I can understand the snakes being soothed and quieted by the matter-of-fact calm and fearlessness of the priests for most of the time; but why the rattlers were not all maddened by the treatment they received at the washing in the kiva, and again when thrown on the dance rock, I cannot understand."

I nearly passed on buying the bolo above, that is until I began to think how nice it would be to wear on my own, especially outside the bounds of Navajo Country. Charleston Lewis was the artist responsible for creating this rattlesnake bolo. I am sure to enjoy wearing it for years to come.

You can get a glimpse of Teddy, a few live ceremonial serpents, and some Kachina dancers at the a 1913 snake dance in this film clip from the Library of Congress: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfmPGcyV7lM

Man in the Maze in Hopi Land

2010-04-19T19:08:00.000-07:00

A Hopi jewelry seller told me this past weekend that the Hopi people have an affinity for the man in the maze symbol in large part because they are linguistically related to the Tohono O'Odam and Pima of southern Arizona. The symbol is shared by a number of Native American tribes. The maze is very commonly woven into baskets, inlaid in silver, and painted on pottery. My son Cheves, who was born on the Tohono O'Odam reservation, had the symbol tattooed on his right forearm when he was still a teenager. The central figure of the man in the maze is called I'itoi or I'ithi. He is said to have led the Tohono O'Odam ancesters, the Hohokam, from the center of the earth and now resides in a cave just below the peak of the Baboquivari mountain. I once climbed to the top of that mountain and I felt much like a man in a maze on my descent in the dark. I never saw I'ithi's lair and at that time did not know I was supposed to leave him a gift.

The silver overlay work in this bracelet is impressively fine. The ram and headdress wearing corn maiden kachina figures make this a remarkable conversation piece. Also note the silversmith's--Eddison Wadsworth Soohafya (corn clan)--simplistic Lakota hallmark. Price $649.

The Gold and Silver of Watson Honanie

2010-04-18T13:30:00.001-07:00

Watson Honanie who resides in the 2nd Hopi Mesa Village of Shungopavi began his career as a gold and silver smith in 1973. He was one of the first Native Americans to combine mixed gold and silver technique as pictured here in this elegant shadowbox style pendant featuring the gold Eagle Kachina Dancer. His hallmark is the bear paw. This 2 1/4 inch diameter show piece is priced at $1450.

Hopi Warrior Mouse

2010-04-18T12:09:00.000-07:00

One of the great joys of our wholesale buying trips on the Hopi Reservatoin is the chance to pick up brilliant new Kachinas. A knowledgble merchant informed me that the Warrior Mouse Kachina, popular with collectors around the world, is not a true Kachina because he does not appear in real life Hopi ceremonies. Nonetheless, the Warrior Mouse is an important Hopi figure especially popular with the children. The story of this hero mouse is said to have originated in the 2nd Mesa village of Misongnovi. The short story version is that Warrior Mouse saved the village from relentless predatory chicken kills of a ever hungry Hawk after all other efforts by the village people had failed. The little mouse killed the this bird of prey by cleverly arranging a trap that led to the Hawk impaling himself on Warrior Mouse's sharp spear. It is hard to see in these two images but Warrior Mouse is wearning a Ketoh (bow guard) on his left wrist and a turquoise bracelet on his right. I bought this piece, which eventually go to my Grandson Bodhi (now just 2.5 weeks old), directly from the artist. I featured a sterling silver pendant version of the Warrior Mouse in this blog of 1/19/2008.

Cody's Gold & Silver Storyteller Bolos

2010-04-18T07:47:00.000-07:00

Cody Hunter's multi-dimensional silver overlay silver work is the best I have ever seen. His superior work is scare and very hard to find. I have tried without success to contact him to buy directly. I do not blame him for being so elusive for even in our current deep recession, I image he has more demand than he can fulfill. His works speaks for itself. The detail in the 4 layers of silver overlay is stunning. Note the individuals sitting at the fire in the outdoor ramada in the detail inset. In the bottom piece you can see the silversmith at work in the covered area next to his traditional Navajo hogan. The bottom bolo shows its only 14K gold radiance as the glowing sun. The 14K gold in the top piece is distributed throughout on the petroglyphic depictions. These pieces are a treasure hunter's delight. The last piece I had by Cody was a similarly portrayed Western belt buckle. I was saddened when it sold. I plan to test drive at least of the bolos above. Although Cody's work is expensive by Native American jewelry standards, I think it is relatively cheap given its museum quality and one-of-a-kind handcraft dazzle. The top bolo carries a price tag of $1995, the bottom piece $1399. For impression neck wear, forget your very vulnerable cloth ties that can be slayed with a mere errant drop of mustard. Click or even double click on the image above for better detail.

Jewelry Bedecked Hopi Frog Kachina Croaks "Let it Rain"

2010-04-17T16:45:00.000-07:00

Sandy and I just returned from a most enjoyable buying trip on the Hopi Reservation. Our chest is now full of Hopi inventory jewels. I will feature many on this blog. We really do not deal in Kachinas, but it is difficult to go Hopi without returning with at least one or two. Although the Zuni and Navajo also carve Kachinas, the Hopi are the uncontested masters. Their Kachina are all carved from the root of the cottonwood tree which can be found on the reservation in the washes. Today, I had the joy of meeting up with a cottonwood root vendor and I bought a 4 foot length of the lightweight root from him for $20. The surrounding Hopi craftsmen began teasing me about what Kachina I would extract from my piece of wood. Perhaps I should feel some ecological remorse, I have plans to hang it on the wall to drap a special edition Pendleton woolen Tamaya Indian blanket. I also bought another Kachina directly from a Hopi carver for my new Grandson Bodhi to eventually inherit. I may put his mouse warrior up in a few days, but I'd like to sizzle a few pieces of Hopi master jewels herein before I do that.

The frog kachina (Paqua in Hopi) dances at ceremonials to bring rain to the parched Hopi land. This particular Kachina was carved by Wilson Huma of the Hopi Roadrunner Clan. He lives in the village of Sichomovi on 1st Mesa.

Welcome to Gallup's Zia Motel

2010-04-16T13:28:00.000-07:00

Today I went in search of a piece of jewelry by an artist whose work I'd not seen. I located a representative sample of his good work which I fully intended to blog this afternoon even though I came up shy on his biographical information. Hunger struck as I was driving home along old Route 66 so I ducked into Taco Bell for a quick bean burrito. As I was waiting for my order I saw the above image across the street. I thought it very typical of main street Gallup and decided to make it the subject of my blog entry for today. Gallup is loaded with motel rooms. An influx of reservation dwelling Native Americans swell the population to double or triple size most weekends. Route 66 is lined with similar lodging. The familiar corporate chain facilities are heavily weighted on the ends of our elongated town. Old motels rooms near the center of Gallup typically rent for between 24 and 3o dollars a night. On any given day, I image you can find 10 to 30% of the rooms occupied with Native American involved in jewelry making. You can get a room at the Zia as pictured here for $30 a night or $180 per week, tax is included. Just a couple of blocks away on the Taco Bell side of the street you will find the El Rancho Hotel built in 1937. From the 30's to the 50's it served as a temporary home for many stellar Hollywood actors and as headquarters for dozens of Western film productions. El Rancho's lengthy famous guest list includes notables like John Wayne, Jane Wyman, Jackie Cooper, Kirk Douglas, and Spencer Tracy. I'll have to check to see if my personal old Western favorite, Richard Boone, best known for his role as Paladin, was ever a guest there. I do know that my fine barber's mother used to wait on Mr. Boone at the Eagle Cafe which is still in operation here. One morning he handed her a "Have Gun Will Travel" business card.

Please click on the image above for more pictorial detail. The woman in the image is dressed in fairly realistic traditional manner, but I've never seen an area Native American male outfitted as above and certainly never with an erect solitary head feather. Nonethess, I do think the cartoonish duo convey a fuzzy-warm welcome to Gallup, the Indian Jewelry Capital of the World.

Update: I checked when Sandy and I dined at the historic El Rancho Hotel in Gallup for lunch. Richard Boone aka Paladin never registered there. Perhaps he stayed at the Zia when town.

Dan Jackson's Master Rug Design Jewelry

2010-04-15T18:05:00.000-07:00

Dan Jackson's father was a master silversmith, his mother a rug weaver. Dan is widely known for his rug pattern based jewelry which always stands apart as distinguished and prize-winning. I've only met him on one occasion, that was a couple of years ago at the Santa Fe Indian Market. I really enjoyed hearing the story about the time he and wife attended a rodeo. She was all dressed up in Dan's radiantly fine jewelry. A lady from New England approached her and proffered a large bundle of cash for the complete set of jewelry for an on the spot immediate exchange. She graciously accepted. No one has told me the exact amount that changed hands that day; the sum probably grows with each telling of the story. Dan's exquisite silver work is not cheap. This Ganado rug style hatband carries a price tag of $1250.

Kachina Clowns

2010-04-13T17:15:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since Nancy and Ruddell Laconsello stopped by our house for coffee and to show us their latest pieces. Sandy just happened to find this beautiful bolo, buckle set at Ray's Trading Company here in Gallup a few days ago. I particularly like this set because kachina clowns are boisterous, satirical, watermelon-loving gluttons who love to act with laughter-provoking comic spin in real life Hopi and Zuni ceremonial festivities; and as always, Laconsello work is always highly collectible as jewelry art. I look forward to going to Hopi Reservation this weekend on a major buying trip. Seems that Kachina dances are ongoing every time I visit, but I've not had a chance to attend in the past few years. Stay tuned.

Navajo Cosmic Kokopelli Reversible Pendant

2010-04-11T17:16:00.000-07:00

Today upon our return from the New Mexico Jemez Mountains where we went to visit our week old Grandson, Bodhi Azure, Sandy and I stopped by Sunrise Indian Jewelry. We discovered Solomon and his wife preparing some freshly minted Native American jewelry for a dealer-only formal showing at the Oasis gift show at the Albuquerque Convention Center this coming weekend. This exquiste pendant caught my attention immediately. Note the flute playing Kokopelli perched on the ledge of sandstone that dominates the scenic reservation lands of the Navajo. The moon, stars and streaking comet accentuate the night. This is a collaborative piece. The silver is Calvin Begay's design, but the real artisan who deserves great credit is a heretofore little known inlay Navajo artist, John Duboise whom I've not yet met. The stones include black jet, lab opal, and jasper. This unique hand-crafted piece is a definite candidate for my best find of the year. Note this dimunitive masterwork measuring 2 inches from bale to the 3/4 inch base appears perfect; the image here shows some slight glare. Price $599.

Natay Carroll

2009-08-17T19:49:00.000-07:00

Lawerence W. Cheek in his book The Navajo Long Walk referred to it as the "The Navajo Holocaust." These darkest days of Navajo history began in 1863 when General James Carleton assigned Kit Carson to break the Navajo Strongholds, especially Canyon De Chelly, with series of military raids and heard the survivors to Ft. Sumner, New Mexico. The lands they were forced to inhabit essentially became a concentration camp, the hated Bosque Redondo. It is estimated that 1/5 of the Navajo died of exposure and starvation as a result of their forced relocation. Cheek writes that this tragic chapter of legendary horror "preserved Navajo identity instead of destroying it." Natay Carroll, son of the well known silversmith Stanley Parker, in an effort to encourage young people to reconnect with their history took that long walk solo in 2001, a distance of approximately 400 miles. Natay continues to keep the memory of his heritage alive in silver art work. The shiny silver Western belt buckle shown above portrays in relief the face of the great Navajo Chief Manuelito as seen in his famous portrait photographed in 1874.

Ray Roanhorse - Nickel Silver Artisan

2009-07-12T18:06:00.000-07:00

Early on Saturday morning a few weeks ago Sandy and I stopped for breakfast at one of Gallup's McDonalds. As we ate we noted a tall Navajo man going table to table offering bowguards (also known as Ketohs) for sale. Bowguards are an ancient leather-based invention designed to protect an archer's wrist from string slap. They are also used as a personal adornment and are frequently worn for ceremorial dress. Although everyone else had waved him on, he found a welcome reception at our table. We learned that he was Ray Roanhorse from Klagetho, Arizona who was taught the craft by his sister Flo. We saw that each bowguard was uniquely stamped and accented with a piece of turquoise from the Sleeping Beauty mine in Arizona. I bought all he had for sale at a price considerably more than he asked.

I have a particular interest in our regional nickel silversmiths. They work with nickel silver because it is much cheaper to buy than sterling, nonetheless the products are just as labor intensive. Unfortunately, there is very little demand for nickel silver jewelry which sells at a fraction of the cost of sterling based creations. Mr. Roanhorse was pleased that we appreciated his work and that I wanted to ackowledge him as a noteable artist on our internet sites.

Our discovery of Mr. Roanhorse and his work in the midst of our McMuffin feast made for a great start for us on yet another day in Indian Southwest.

Virgil & Shirley Benn

2009-05-07T17:30:00.000-07:00

Virgil & Shirley Benn have been crafting unique channel inlay products for years. Their names shine along with a few other top notch Zuni jewelry stars. They are particularly well known for their inlays depicting animals such as coyotes, birds, bears, and pumas. They have even done a lion and last I heard were working on a tiger. Their work is accented by expert etching of the stones to give added life to the feathers, fur, and hair of their subjects.

Virgil is of Zuni and Paiute ancestry; his wife Shirley, granddaughter of famous Hopi potter Nampeyo, is Hopi/Tewa. Their collaborative work dates back to the 1950's. Even their current production work is some of the most expensive, but most collectors will agree well worth the cost.

The Tewa clown kachina head above is a brilliant example of their work. The bolo measures approximately 3 1/2 inches by 4 inches. Cost = $1650.

Butterflies and Caterpillars

2009-04-25T18:24:00.000-07:00

I've not posted for awhile mostly because I've been distracted in putting together a website to showcase Native American jewelry artists. Although not up and running the website is http://www.najewels.com/. I think the site holds great promise for giving a name recognition boost to individual artists. Meanwhile, I've also signed on to twitter.com as wilfordofgallup where I've started posting matters related to the buying and selling of Indian jewelry.

Pictured above is my latest acquisiton which may well go down as the find of the year. Our team is always on the search for blue ribbon prize winning jewelry. I was surprised to find this unsold LC Charley (Navajo) masterwork in a display case at one of the area dealers. I've bought a number of Mr. Charley's very well crafted ranger buckle sets, but never have I seen any of his work as captivating as these silver butterflies which earned him a 1997 blue ribbon at the Gallup Intertribal Ceremony art show.

I hate to part with blue ribbon work, but offering for sale some the very best collector's pieces of Southwestern Native American jewelry is an important aspect of our ongoing ambition to be one of the best sources in the business. The buckle above is of Western design with hook and swivel back. The bolo has a double loop holder for the braided leather. Cost $1799.

Our National Jewel

2009-03-08T20:42:00.000-07:00

Sandy and I left Gallup on Friday, our initial hopes of meeting up with Sedona Wolf had been dashed early that morning. They maintain one of the very best Native American Marketing places on the web, one of the few places I frequently visit regularly: http://www.sedonaindianjewelry.com/ . Perhaps on another day, we'll have an opportunity to meet in person in Gallup, Sedona, or elsewhere. We felt consoled on learning that the last great railroad hotel, La Posada, in Winslow had a room for us. Staying there--I prefer Einstein's spacious room--is comfort enough, but the true treat is dining in their historic old Turquoise Room--my favorite culinary spot in the whole Southwest. Dinner for me always begins with their famous black bean-corn soup; the dish that followed was comforting enough to calm with lullaby-effect the most demanding gourmet food-critic: smoked pheasant tamales, a sizzing Navajo churro lamb cut, spicy Colorado Elk sausage, and roasted duck over a base of Tohono O'oodam tepary beans. Sandy's meal was more traditional, a chicken based dish off the old 1930 Fred Harvey railroad menu which they faithful recreate every day. The next morning we drove to Museum of Northern New Mexico for an overview of their Native American jewelry on display. It was rather sparse, I should have asked if what we saw on display represented only a sampling of a vast storehouse located elsewhere on their campus. From their parking lot we called the El Tovar Hotel on the off chance they had had a cancellation for the night and they had. So two hours later we were nestled in our tiny room circa 1905 just off the Canyon Rim. I like to visit the El Tovar Hotel periodically just to see what Native American pieces are on exhibit for sale in their two prominent lobby showcases. I am sorry to say that although there is some individually crafted jewelry there, most of their pieces fall in to the category of modern manufactured jewelry which comes from two primary souces BG Mudd and SuperSmiths both New Mexico companies that employee Native Americans to produce jewelry, usually in an assembly line fashion.* How much more satisfying it would be to have one of their staff act as buying agent and allow individual Native American artists to have a coveted shot at a spot in their showcase. What they have in that elegant lobby is two of the best placed showcases for Native American Jewelry in all the world. Dinner at the El Tovar dining room is always good, but I think rather lackluster when compared to the cuisine at the Turquoise Room in Winslow. Nonetheless I must uptick it one point for their raw buffalo appetizer place. I was up well before sunrise to a blistery cold rim hike with my camera & tripod in hand. Sunrise just doesn't get better than what one sees at the Grand Canyon--our premiere national jewel in full spotlight glory.

*I contracted with a company last week for a commercial website to be used primary for the introduction of individual Native American artists so the story of thier work may be told and thier products placed on world wide display. After the first 50 entries, I plan to publish as the first volume. The fledgling site can be found at http://www.najewels.com/ .

In Pursuit of Cody Hunter

2009-02-01T14:10:00.000-08:00

When asked who is the best Native American silversmith of all time, the name Cody Hunter instantly rolls from my tongue. I had seen only images of his work until my Hopi trip yesterday. We know where he lives and have tried to get in contact with him to buy directly, but without success. I do not know of anyone who carries his work in New Mexico so my pursuit has been an exercise of frustration. Much to my relief, I found a wholesaler on Saturday who carries Cody's exquisite silver and gold work. It's expensive so I couldn't buy all that I was shown, but at least the one buckle again gives me representation of his work. Cody seems to be living the good life at the mouth of Canyon de Chelly, one of the most beautiful scenic areas in the world. He grew up riding horses that idyllic setting and now enjoys his avocational specialty of rodeo team roping. The buckle above is amazing. I measures a diminutive--at least by cowboy rodeo standards--3 x 1 3/4 inches. It is designed for belt sizes up to 1 and 3/16 inches in width. The petroglyph figures and sun are 14 K gold fill. The amazing aspect is the story teller central area which involves 5 separate layers of silver overlay and depicts in miniature a Navajo scene that has become increasing rare as the Hogan has given way to trailer homes and prefab housing. I just marvel at the detail he brings into such a small area. Layers of clouds, sand stone formations of that area made famous by the ones seen in Monument Valley, the fire and cooking canopy, juniper tree, goats, mounted rider, and 3 individuals sitting by the fire. He even includes a rabbit and yes, if you look carefully in the door of the Hogan the ubiquitous reservation mutt. Wow, what an artistic treasure! I'm sure I'll be going back for more. Price $1,000 This buckle is my #1 candidate for find of the year for 2009.

Another Grand Hopi Buying Trip

2009-01-31T16:49:00.000-08:00

I'm fond of saying that Hopi jewelry is good by definition. Since the middle ages they have survived in their hostile high desert land that would have decimated other civilizations in short order. I believe their well honed survival skills have lead in part to a discipline that is manifest in the near perfection one sees so consistently in their art, especially their jewelry and Kachinas. The Hopi's are vastly outnumbered by their Navajo brethern thus their products are quite limited when judged by comparison. I'm surprised products we list do not sell as briskly as I would expect given their consistent excellence of quality and rather scant supply. Perhaps it is only a few traders like me, collectors, and the Japanese that have really discovered Hopi jewelry. Even though we have a good supply of Hopi products on hand, I wanted to get in another day of shopping so Sandy and I took off early this morning under clear skies for a day trip to Hopi. We had no trouble finding additional products to market and intereacting with Hopi artisans was once again delightful. Our buying was compete in short order so we decided to stop at the Hopi Cultural Center for some blue corn fry bread based tacos and on exit encountered Kachina maker Lawrence Mahle of Polacca on 1st Mesa. We do not deal in Kachinas for a variety of reasons the two principal ones being that the jewelry business keeps us busy and shipping of Kachinas is not something we want to do. Nonetheless on seeing Mr. Mahle with his well made products, along with his young wife and child, I wanted to support his art and so bought the Healer Bear Kachina you see pictured. He explained the role of the healer bear whose magic healing is derived and delivered from juniper root he gives to chew on. He is also said to answer prayers and Mr. Mahle suggested that we try directing some of our own prayers to the Bear. I walked away feeling quite good about my acquisition of the bear. I had taken only a couple of steps in toward my car when Calvin Pavetea, a Hopi also from Polacca, pulled up in his pickup truck to ask me through his open window to take a look at his butterfly Kachina that he was offering for sale. When he quoted his price, I informed I had just depleted my cash reserves on the Bear. He agreed to take a check. Meanwhile, he explained to Sandy the construction and meaning of our new Butterfly Kachina then he pulled a piece of raw cottonwood root to show her. Hopi Kachinas are widely acknowedged as the best and their carving depends on a source of cottonwood root no longer available on their reservation land. It was just a wondeful day once again out here in the West, I even picked up a piece of jewelry that will be a candidate for find of the year. Stayed tuned for a look at Navajo Cody Hunter's storyteller belt buckle.

Splendid Red Bear Coral Choker

2009-01-11T14:30:00.000-08:00

Sandy loves the occsional call from Ruddell Laconsello announcing that he has another ‘show stopper’, one of a kind jewelry piece that he will complete in the next few hours; he then invariably follows, "Will Wilford be interested in it?" I am of course always interested in the Laconsello's work which I regard as the creme' de la creme' of American Indian Jewely. I am particularly interested in unique pieces, one-of-a-kind treasures such as this coral bear choker. It doesn't take long for Ruddel to drive up from Zuni and knock on the door with a satisified artist grin on his face and prize in hand. If you've followed this blog you will recall we bought the couple's prize winning concho belt at this year's Santa Fe Market. Even at $10,000 it did not rest on our inventory shelf longer than a week. The Red Bear Coral Choker master work is only 16” in length, a nice choker size, with the center inlay pendant flanked by two side pieces. Ruddell noted that the design also has a Rococco style embellishment in the clouds and water above and below the bear. The bear's image began with the eye, then silver was laid in for the ‘heartline’ (with red arrow point). The bear was then completed with coordinated shades of red coral pieces. To complete the piece, he used beads which are handmade and fluted. The clasp is the final detail which cleverly compliments the rest of the choker. The large hook and eye clasp each have a heart motif.
We are proud to have acquired this masterwork for sale. Cost $849.

Claudia Peina

2009-01-05T18:59:00.000-08:00

Claudia Peina is a highly celebrated Zuni fetish carver whose finsihed work is quickly absorbed by collectors worldwide. Her masterworks are generally too large to be incorporated into wearable jewelry. The Zuni Maiden shown here stands just over 5 1/2 inches tall. It is carved from antler and inlaid with turquoise, coral, and jet. Note the maiden's coral necklace. Cost: $389.

Shalako

2008-12-13T23:03:00.000-08:00

Shalako refers to a series of dances and ceremonies conducted by the Zuni tribe at the Winter Solstice. It is notable in that unlike many other Zuni ceremonies that are closed to outsiders, non-Zuni are often invited. Sandy and I along with our two little children braved Shalako one year. As is typical this time of year at Zuni elevations, it was blistering cold with wind driven snow flurries. We waiting until late in the night to see the actual Shalako. He was quite tall like Bird of Sesame Street. It's only a quick 45 minute drive from our home to Zuni, but the memory of the cruel weather of that first viewing inhibits me from going for a return visit.

For the Zuni, the Shalako ceremonies are the most important event of the year and the Shalako is their most prominent and distinctive Kachina. The Shalako pendant depicted above is the creation of Navajo silversmith Alvin Vandermir. It is a unique piece and should prove to be a valuable collector's luxury unisex neck adornment for man or woman that is bound to be the subject of many a covetous glance. Indeed this one is a treasure to behold. It measures 2 7/8 inches in length and weighs 1.5 ounces. Price $999.00.

Don Platero's Sterling Silver Salad Set

2008-11-02T10:51:00.000-08:00

The Navajo spoon emerged as an object of national passion as commemorative spoons became part of the silverware on proper Victorian tables throughout America. Most of the spoons produced by Navajo silversmiths were bought up by train tourists. Over successive decades these forged and hammered spoons were eventually refined into cherished ornate works worthy of the King's table. The craze began to wane around 1915 then enjoyed a resurgence of popularity during the 1920s only to come crashing down in the depression years when setting a fancy table setting lost it's meaning as rolicking good times gave way to widespread economic depair. Don Platero deserves much credit for carving his place in the interesting history of the Navajo Cultlery luminated in scholarly fashion by Cindra Kine in her beautifully illustrated book, NAVAJO SPOONS. A neighbor of Don's tells me that Don often works late into the night sometimes in melodious fashion as his hammer pounds out the best in modern silverware available today. Salad Set illustrated is set with natural Turquoise Mountain cabachons. Cost $659.

Turkey Season

2008-10-22T19:18:00.000-07:00

For centuries turkeys have played an important role in the lives of Native Americans. Besides providing a source of meat, their feathers were used to stabilize arrows and decorate ceremonial dress. The spurs on the legs of wild tom turkeys were used as projectiles on arrowheads. There is no definite proof of the 1st Thanksgiving dinner in the autumn of 1621 when some 90 hungry Pilgrims and Native Americans are said to have gathered in grand celebration. Turkey was probably not among the meat dishes served. A first hand account pened by the leader of the colony stated that the food included, ducks, geese, venison, and fish. For omnivores turkey consumption season extension extends through Christmas in large part thanks to Charles Dickens' The Christmas Story.

Our beloved Wild Turkey as depicted by the Zuni artist Dale Edaakie in the buckle /bolo set as shown here nearly followed the DoDo bird to extinction, but thanks to convervation repopulation programs it survives in relative abundance in all states except Alaska.

The Zuni often celebrate birds in their art although I rarely see the turkey incorporated in their jewelry. This sterling silver creation set with multiple stones and in etched in fine creative detal should be worn with pride and should appreciate reliably in value in the years ahead. Cost $769.00.

Halloween Spiders

2008-10-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

Spider Woman is one of the important deities of the Navajo. She is most honored for saving the ancient Navajo people from free roaming monsters. Spider Rock is one of the most awesome sights in the world. It stands in dignity some 800 ft above the canyon floor in Arizona's Canyon de Chelly National Park, which is part of the Navajo Nation. I do not know what inspires E. Spencer to make these sterling spiders, but I suspect his motives are ancient in origin and not from their adopted Halloween Night which is vigorously celebrated throughout Indian land. The sterling silver pin/pendant spiders you see in the image here range in price from $15 to $69. They go well especially with high fashion.

Dale Edaakie's Bird Bolo and Buckles

2008-10-09T19:52:00.001-07:00

Dale Edaakie's Zuni inlay work is simply outstanding. To learn more about him refer to his biography at the American Masters of Stone website. The buckles measure 3 x 2 1/8 inch. Each sterling silver buckle bolo set sells for $729.

Paul J. Begay's Tobacco Flask

2008-10-02T17:29:00.000-07:00

His hallmark is "PJ Begay." I've run across his fine work frequently and I've occasionally bought and sold some of his bracelets. He once worked for the late Harry Morgan and was no doubt influenced by Harry's technic and old style revival work. Even though Mr. Begay lives in Gallup, we've not crossed paths, but I hope to meet him in the near future now that he has risen to the top tier of my list of outstanding Navajo smiths. My interest in his work was heightened early this week when I was shown the canteen picured above. Such containers were historically created to be used as tobacco flasks, but the market for those is severly diminished, but a good whisky flask still has great market appeal. It is generally only the best of smiths who are willing to craft canteens. This canteen holds 140ml and measures approximately 2 3/4 inches in diameter, 1 1/4 inches in thickness, and is crowned by a #8 Nevada mine turquoise gem stone. Price $1000.

Andrea Lonjose Shirley

2008-09-29T20:17:00.000-07:00

Andrea Lonjose Shirley's lapidary work has no equal that I'm aware of. A distinctive feature of Zuni jewelry is exacting fit that often goes beyond what one expects of mere mortal hands. The casual observer might mistake the piece shown as a masterful example of a small Champlevé painting. Champlevé is an enamel technique in which troughs are carved into the surface of a metal framework then filled with a vitreous enamel. The piece is then fired until the enamel melts then polished after cooling. The "Zuni Ball Eye Kachina" shown is inlaid on sterling silver with mother of pearl, acoma jet, coral, and sleeping beauty turquoise. On close-up inspection there is no mistaking it for a Champlevé piece. It stands 3.5 inches tall and can be worn as pin or pendant. Cost = $599.00.

Silver Spurs

2008-09-25T17:31:00.000-07:00

In the days of chivalry spurs and the metal from which they were made were a mark of rank. Hence the expression "to earn your spurs." Today they are a standard piece of cowboy equipment; designs vary widely. I've found only three Native American Silversmiths willing to rise to the challenge of crafting spurs. The first was the late Harry Morgan. I located a pair of his excellent spurs in a showcase at an area dealer shortly after starting this business. When I asked about price, I was clearly told--not for sale. This year, much to my delight, I found two pair entered into competition at the 87th Gallup Intertribal Ceremony. Both were dazzling. One pair was done by Gary Reeves (Navajo), the other by his equally talented brother Sunshine Reeves. I passed on the opportunity to buy, somewhat to my regret which was reversed today when I found and bought the winning blue ribbon pair by Sunshine Reeves. At an appraisal price of $6000, these sterling silver blue ribbon winning spurs may indeed be hard to earn.

Stanley Parker's Traditional Old Style Navajo Jewelry

2008-09-18T17:51:00.000-07:00

Stanley Parker (1952..) was born and raised on the Navajo reservation in the shadow of the great Shiprock located in the 4 corners region of New Mexico. Unlike many of his contemporary competitors who had the early advantage of childhood home schooling in the fine art of silversmithing, he learned his skill later in life. As a young man, he began working in the electronics industry soldering circuit boards, but he was subsequently drawn to silvermithing as a career after watching others work in the medium. He told me that his experience soldering electronic circuits facilitated his transition to working with silver. I was very impressed with his work I first discovered at a wholesale distributor in Albuquerque. I met him two years running at the Santa Fe Indian Market, but it wasn't until last week that he called me and asked to visit me here in Gallup. Two things about Stanley's work that really stand out are: 1) master silversmithing and 2) choice of natural turquoise. His silver work is so precise that it looks machine made, only on careful inspection in most cases can one see "maker-marks." Stanley is very careful in his choice of stones and finding satisfactory "cabachons" for mounting is his biggest production frustration. He used to cut his own from raw materials, but now finds he doesn't have the time to cut and polish. His fine work understandably commands high prices. The bracelet above featuring the rectangle of King Manassas turquoise is $435.00.

Zuni Canteen

2008-09-08T16:09:00.000-07:00

The ability to craft a good canteen is the mark of an accomplished silversmith, an art among the Navajo that goes back to around 1880. It was in that year that Washington Matthews, a Ft. Wingate, NM army officer, published an account of silversmithing in which a silver canteen was described and illustrated. In that era they were popular among the soldiers as tobacco flasks. The great modern Navajo canteens I've seen among the Navajo were crafted by Harry Morgan, Sunshine Reeves, and Gary Reeves. The above mini-canteen was made by Carlton Jamon of Zuni. The canteen shown measures only 3 inches from top to bottom and about 3/4 of an inch in thickness. Thus, it is clearly designed for use as a perfume carrier as they were popularly used by Navajo women in the early 20th century. They would buy perfume at the trading post then put their pleasant fragrance in one of these small canteens to carry securely tied to the bottom of a strands of beads. The above sterling silver canteen is accented with the 12K gold petroglyphic hand, sleeping beauty turquoise, and malachite. The silver surface is both textured and shinning. I was able to buy only this one piece, but Mr. Jamon appeared anxious to make more for me, so I hope to keep them on hand in EBay store. Price $700.

Tohono O'odam Jewelry

2008-09-06T14:53:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of living with my young family among the Tohono O'odam (formerly Papago) Indians on their reservation in the Sonoran Desert of Southern Arizona for two years in a decade past. It was there that I met Nick, a full blooded Papago, who became one of the best friends I've ever had. The friendship came about when Nick refused to sell me a horse; but interestingly, he had no hesitation in loaning me one indefinitely. So it was that I spent many hours mounted high in the saddle of my stallion named Gu-Achi. Nick would frequently invite me on wild horse round-ups with his Tohono O'odam buddies and he's take me out to hunt javelina, deer, quail, or to round up beef on the hoof for slaughter. Hardly a week passed that Nick and I missed adverturing in the desert mountains or home on the range in that beautiful, but hostile desert land where the stately Saguaro cactus, lifespan up to 200 years, weigh in at thousands of pounds each, and grow 40 ft upward to skies that are rarely cloudy all day. The Papago are noted for their remarkable tightweave, decorative baskets made from native grasses and Devil's claw. Their mini-baskets are woven and shaped from horsehair. Sandy and I collected quite a few baskets, but silverwork was scarce and we acquired only two pieces I showed in a blog entry several months ago. And so it is that we learned first hand to appreciate the people and land of the Tohono O'odam.

The James Fendenheim buckle shown above is a byproduct of another highlight (that of meeting James) at this year's Santa Fe Indian Market. I first encountered James at his booth where we talked silver and he told me how to get in touch with the other notable Tohono O'odam jewelry maker. He was not interested in selling wholesale to me so I could market his work worldwide, but he was happy to sell me the buckle above at show's end to feature in this blog. If you would like to see more of James' fine quality work click here. The above Western style buckle retails for $900 dollars, it is accented with 18K gold and features, the saguaro cactus and the Man (James calls the figure Star Man) in the Maze, both are very commonly depicted in Tohono O'odam art.