Artists Behind The Art Of Native American Jewelry

 

Native American jewelry is celebrated for its uniqueness all over the world. It is not something that came from the vein. It is something crafted by indigenous artists and related to the love of the land. American native jewelry includes the spiritual beliefs of the artists. Its artists have incarnated the craft pieces from the earliest times of the Inca, Aztecs, Anasazi, and Maya. 

Artists use natural materials, stones, silver, and beads to create ornaments. The designs always include the significance of the Native American culture. So, let us tell you about the artists who have been creating it for centuries now, dating back to 18000. These artists played a compelling job in keeping this art alive. 

Zuni Artists- 

Zuni American jewelry always has the history, beauty, and culture of the Zuni people. Their jewelry is a special way to explain the culture to Zuni. 

By looking at any ornament made by a Zuni, you can see through the stones, silver, and techniques that an artist has invested in creating that piece of jewelry, reflecting the history of the tribe.

Zuni people also use and reflect the delicate uses of the silversmiths. Throughout this time of the centuries, Zuni people have also learned and used setting and inlaying the stones into metal. 

Navajo Artists- 

Navajo artists were the first among all American artists to learn about silversmithing techniques. Also, the Navajo is the largest Native American tribe. In addition, Navajo people are also one of the most famous Native American jewelry artists. Navajo people love to use natural stones and silver to create their ornaments. However, they also prefer to use turquoise in their jewelry pieces. In Navajo culture, turquoise is believed to bring good fortune. So, while looking at jewelry pieces by Navajo, you will see the use of a little turquoise here and there. Often it is used to replicate a natural stone. Navajo jewelry is the most widespread and well-known today because it became even more desirable when turquoise was used alongside the precious white metal. Navajos, every individual artist has their own style, but still, if we try to organize their jewelry style into categories, we can a little bit. Single stone, double stone, multiple stone, organized clusters, and random cluster designs can often be seen in their jewelry. 

Hopi Artists- 

Hopi peoples are best known for intricate silver overlays design in silversmithing. The Hopi peoples consist of a smaller tribe of 20,000. But their approach and determination towards their work made them stand out from all the American jewelry artists. Hopi people are known for their colorful and traditional culture. 

Their overlay designs always have two layers of the silver sheet in which one sheet usually has the design engraved into it, and then it is fused onto the second sheet to create the designs. Oxidation is the traditional style of Hopi culture. The top layer of the ornament is made into a cutout design. Both layers of the ornament, soldered in a way to allow the dark bottom layer to show through. This technique is still in use to create jewelry. 

Apache Artists- 

Apache people, both men, and women have traditionally worn a variety of jewelry. They are well known for their beadworks. The single-layer apache jewelry generally consists of several layers of beads and glasses. Their rich silversmithing tradition is another cherry on top of their jewelry. Unlike the other artists, you don't have to do too much hard work to distinguish the apache jewelry. 

Apache made bracelets using silver with turquoise inlays and rings from brass or silver. 

From history, Apache people have crafted simultaneous necklaces, chokers made from the beads, shells, turquoise, jets, stones, glass beads, seeks, and even roots of the various plants. You can also find Mirrors' work in the apache jewelry. 

Key Thoughts- 

Every native American jewelry artist has their own cultural and historical touch on their jewelry. Some have mastered the art of silversmithing, such as Navajo, and some have skills with beads like Apache. We have tried to give you glances at each of the artists. However, we recommend you to see the cultural jewelry of the native Americans. These artists are trying to spread the art of American jewelry throughout the world. Navajo artists are the most celebrated artists, as mentioned before, so try their jewelry this time. You are going to celebrate the occasion.