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Navajo Jewelry -The Most Popular Native American Jewelry TodayNavajo Jewelry Style ... The Most Popular Native American Jewelry Tradition… How do they do that? Stamp Work - using metal stamps to decorate the surface of a metal with designs, either raised or incised. When the depressed or incised areas are oxidized, the pattern "pops out". Silver concho jewelry is an example.
"The People" or Dineh as the Navajo call themselves, arrived in the Southwest during the 15th century. Prior to this time, the Navajo lived in Dinetah for many years (large area of northwestern New Mexico, southwestern Colorado, southeastern Utah, and northeastern Arizona) where they began to develop their skills in hunting, farming and pottery. To depict their ceremonial and daily life, rock art was often used to record their interpretation of the world. They were joined by other tribes and from them learned of new herbal plants and medicine. This evolution took place from 700 AD to 1400 AD. They were first noticed between the Champa and upper San Juan rivers from the late 14th century to the early 15th century. Their first European contact was around 1540 or earlier. It was in 1600 that they met the Spaniards and were introduced to sheep and horses. These two animals accented the nomadic life of the Navajos and became integral parts of their culture. From the Spaniards, they learned the art of silversmithing, for which they are now famous. The Navajo people today appreciate and respect their ancient culture and is heavily represented in their jewelry, pottery and other works of art. Some of the most prolific and versatile artists, the Navajo have become respected around the world for their crafts, which have been a huge aspect of their sustaining economy. The Navajo are well-known for their Squash Blossom necklaces. The first Navajo jewelry silversmith was Atsidi Sani ("Old Smith"). He learned to be a blacksmith in the 1850s and may have tried his hand at working silver in the early 1860s. In 1864, the Navajo were captured by the U.S. Cavalry. "Old Smith" along with 8,000 other Navajo were taken to Fort Sumner in New Mexico. In 1868, they were returned to the Four Corners area. Many believe that in 1868, "Old Smith" started with his silver making.
This necklace is truly a Native American / Navajo jewelry creation. But, as you just read, some design components of it are not. When the Indians either captured or traded the ornaments from the Spanish bridles, it was considered an object of pride. It was reproduced in various metals and displayed during ceremonials. The crescent pendant, called naja, became symbolic of crop fertility. At first hung around the neck with a leather thong, the necklace became more ornamental once silver beads came into fashion around 1880, and what more logical place was there to display the naja? The first beads were large, non-ornamental and round, then they transitioned into ovals or flutes. Coins were fastened to a silver shank and strung between the beads. The "blossoms" traditionally run down either side of the necklace, and at the bottom is the naja. It's thought that the Navajo and Zuni beads were originally Spanish-Mexican trouser and jacket ornaments, designed to look like pomegranates, a common Spanish motif. Early Navajo "squash blossom" beads strongly resemble the Mexican ornament. The Navajo translation for the "squash blossom bead" means "bead that spreads out"...nothing about a squash or pomegranate blossom. It was the European searching for a familiar definition that coined the phrase "squash blossom necklace". The finest Navajo jewelry was worn at ceremonials, most of which had to do with crops/fertility. The beads and chain looked like pomegranates or squash blossoms. The squash blossom necklace serves as a reminder of the close interaction between the Pueblo and Navajo Indians since the mid-1800s. The necklace itself is Navajo, adopted by the Zuni. The use of turquoise on each of the blossoms is Zuni idea, later adopted by the Navajo. Turquoise - Read all about it!!!
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