The people are kind, shy, very clean, genetically second cousins to the Japanese, and have the same feel for color, shape, and artistry as the Japanese. If you want to know more about their extraordinary culture, the very best source is Tony Hillerman. His Jim Chee/Joe Leaphorn mysteries are well researched. He knows more about the culture than probably anyone, Navajo included. (Psst! If you are a compulsive Tony Hillerman reader, Jim Chee finally makes it down the aisle in his upcoming book, or so I hear.)
When the Navajo work a piece of turquoise they shape their jewelry around the stone. The Zuni cut their stones and place them into the jewelry, basically setting the stones the same way a jeweler would. Navajo pieces have a tendency to be heavier with the silver and more ornate. Zuni seem to concentrate on the stone, with the silver as almost a matrix to contain the stone. There is no difference between the values of the two styles. It is personal taste. (I prefer Navajo. My mother has a tendency to gravitate toward Zuni).
Zuni inlay is some of the most beautify jewelry you will ever see. Naturally, the more intricate the design, the more expensive the piece. When I had my shop, about fifteen years ago, I had a D. C. Wallace inlay butterfly squash blossom necklace with matching bracelet, ring, and earrings. The wife of a very wealthy businessman in a nearby town shoplifted the necklace, which was valued at no less than $2500. Today it would probably worth triple that amount. I really hope she enjoys it!
Expect to pay around $500 for a good sterling and turquoise Navajo squash blossom necklace.
Hopi silver is much different. The Hopi do not work with stone. They put a specific shine or patina on their silver, with raised patterns. The interior of the cut work is darker. Be very careful when cleaning Hopi silver because you do not want to destroy the darker colors. Hopi silver will have a petroglyph, a scene, and can be extremely simple or very ornate. Again, it is a matter of taste.
Fetishes and Heishi
The Zuni also carve fetishes. Fetishes are totem animals, intricately carved. They can be huge or tiny. At one time, fetishes were limited to traditional animals and birds of the Southwest, but now you see dinosaurs, armadillos, alligators, and polar bears. Fetishes can be carved from many different stones and minerals and will come in a variety of colors.
Article comments
1 - Emil
Yes! Maria Martinez has a great history of pottery making. The San Ildefonso Pueblo has manny great potters.
2 - Sheilah Link
Found your article very helpful and read it even though it was not quite what I was looking for. It was well written and an easy read. Thank you.
3 - Diana
I've found that a great place to buy quality native american art pieces, whether it be pottery, jewelry, rugs, or other crafts, is from a store in Albuquerque, New Mexico called Palms Trading Company. It is a family owned business that sells great products at great prices. To view some of the various items the store sells, go to their website. The store sells authentic pieces, as artists come in daily to trade for other pieces or to sell their work. Check it out-you won't be disappointed.
4 - Swarovski Crystals
Yeah thats great article indeed.I like the history of Pottery making.