The American Southwest is renowned for its vibrant culture and unique artistic traditions, particularly its exquisite jewelry. Among the most celebrated creators of this jewelry are the Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and Santo Domingo tribes. While individual artists may occasionally explore styles associated with other tribes, distinct characteristics generally define each tribe’s approach to jewelry making. Understanding these differences allows for a deeper appreciation of the artistry and cultural significance embedded within each piece. This article will delve into the defining features of Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and Santo Domingo jewelry styles.
Navajo Jewelry: Silver as the Star
The Navajo Nation, occupying the largest reservation in the United States, provides a dramatic backdrop for the tribe’s artistic expression. This vast land, featured in classic Western films like The Searchers and Cheyenne Autumn, has fostered a spirit of resilience and creativity evident in Navajo craftsmanship.
Navajo jewelry is primarily known for its masterful silversmithing. The focus is on shaping sterling silver to complement and showcase a chosen stone. Rather than forcing the stone into a pre-designed silver setting, the Navajo artist skillfully molds the silver around the stone’s natural form, celebrating its unique character.
Turquoise is the most popular stone used in Navajo jewelry, its vibrant blue hues reflecting the expansive Southwestern sky. However, other stones, including black onyx, malachite, and blue azurite, also find their place in Navajo designs. Furthermore, cabochons crafted from iridescent sea shells, such as mother of pearl and paua shell, add a touch of natural elegance. Coral accents are particularly prized, lending a warm, reddish contrast to the silver and other stones.
Navajo jewelry pieces often have a substantial feel, characterized by the generous use of silver and intricate silverwork surrounding the stone. This emphasis on silver craftsmanship distinguishes Navajo jewelry from other Southwestern styles. The attention to detail and the bold use of silver make Navajo jewelry a statement of strength and beauty. The title The Differences Between Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and Santo Domingo Jewelry Styles is something we will explore in depth.
Zuni Jewelry: Intricate Stone Inlay and Carved Fetishes
The Zuni people, one of the Pueblo tribes, are renowned for their agricultural skills, basketry, pottery, weaving, and, of course, their exquisite turquoise jewelry. Their ancestral villages are often associated with the mythical Seven Cities of Cibola, which fueled early Spanish expeditions. The Zuni’s artistic talent shines through in their precise stone cutting and intricate inlay work.
The Zuni tribe is celebrated for its master craftsmen who excel at cutting stones into intricate patterns that fit together seamlessly within a silver framework. In contrast to the Navajo approach, where silver is shaped around the stone, Zuni artists meticulously shape the stones to fit into a precisely designed silver setting.
The Zuni artist concentrates on the stone, with the silver acting as a matrix to hold the carefully cut pieces in place. Zuni silver jewelry typically features numerous small pieces of stone, precisely cut and inlaid to form complex and visually stunning patterns. The precision and detail of Zuni inlay work are truly remarkable, making each piece a miniature work of art. The more intricate the design, the more valuable the piece.
Beyond inlay, the Zuni are also famous for their carved fetishes. These totemic animal carvings are believed to possess the powers of the animals they represent, bestowing those powers upon the owner. Zuni fetishes range in size from tiny charms to larger decorative pieces. Traditionally, Zuni fetishes depicted animals and birds native to the Southwest. Today, however, the range has expanded to include dinosaurs, armadillos, alligators, polar bears, and other non-traditional animals. Fetishes are carved from a variety of stones and minerals, resulting in a wide range of colors and price points.
Care should be taken when handling Zuni fetishes, as they can be fragile. If a fetish breaks, it can be repaired with a strong adhesive like Super Glue, although this may slightly reduce its value. However, the artistic merit of the fetish, especially if created by a known artist, often outweighs the impact of the repair. Fetishes can be strung to form necklaces or displayed on tables or shelves. Tabletop fetishes are often adorned with a "pack" of intricately arranged tiny feathers and smaller stones tied to the fetish’s back.
Hopi Jewelry: Silver Overlay and Symbolic Designs
The Hopi, another Pueblo tribe, share their reservation with the Arizona Tewa people. Their reservation is entirely surrounded by the Navajo Nation. The Hopi villages are structured around three mesas. The Hopi are known for their sophisticated silverwork and symbolic designs.
Hopi artisans generally do not incorporate stones into their jewelry. They are master silversmiths who create their jewelry from sterling silver alone.
Hopi silverwork stands apart from both Navajo and Zuni styles. Hopi artists apply a specific shine or patina to their silver, creating raised patterns. The recessed areas of the cutwork are intentionally left darker, creating a striking contrast and highlighting the intricate design. Special care is required when cleaning Hopi silver to avoid damaging the darker areas. Hopi silver jewelry typically features petroglyphs, scenes from Hopi life, or sacred symbols etched into the silver. These designs can range from simple and understated to highly ornate and complex. The artistry of The Differences Between Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and Santo Domingo Jewelry Styles is quite evident.
Santo Domingo Jewelry: Heishi and Natural Materials
The Santo Domingo Pueblo, located southwest of Santa Fe, New Mexico, is known for its adherence to traditional ways. They refer to themselves as "Kiua" and speak an Eastern Keresan language. This commitment to tradition is reflected in their artistic practices, particularly their distinctive jewelry.
Santo Domingo artisans primarily work with drilled stones and shells. They are not known for silversmithing. The only silver they typically use is sterling silver heishi-like beads, often called "liquid silver," or heavy, ornate silver beads, frequently combined with turquoise.
The Santo Domingo jewelry artists are best known for their strung necklaces of natural stones and shells, and for their unique style of bead known as heishi.
Heishi beads are made by stringing together tiny, precisely cut pieces of stone or shell, typically no more than an eighth of an inch long. The strand is then polished down to a specific diameter on a wheel. The quality of heishi is judged by its smoothness. The smoother the strand, the more valuable it is.
Heishi making is a family tradition, often involving multiple generations. Children may string the beads, which have been cut by their grandfather. Their parents may work the polishing wheel, and their grandmother may design the piece.
Sterling silver heishi, often called "liquid silver," is made by pouring silver into molds. Necklaces can range from a single strand to two hundred strands. Liquid silver necklaces are often paired with a pendant. While liquid silver is not necessarily Native-made, the value lies in the weight of the silver and the artist’s time to string the many strands of tiny silver beads.
Santo Domingo artisans also carve fetishes, but their religious beliefs restrict them to carving only birds.
In summary, the The Differences Between Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and Santo Domingo Jewelry Styles are significant and reflect the unique cultural traditions and artistic skills of each tribe:
- Navajo: Master silversmiths who shape silver around stones, often using turquoise and other natural materials.
- Zuni: Experts in intricate stone inlay and carving fetishes, utilizing precise stone-cutting techniques.
- Hopi: Skilled silversmiths who create silver overlay jewelry with symbolic designs and a distinctive patina.
- Santo Domingo: Known for their heishi necklaces and the use of natural stones and shells, with a strong emphasis on family tradition.
By understanding these distinctions, one can better appreciate the artistry and cultural significance of each piece of Southwestern jewelry. The beauty and diversity of these styles serve as a testament to the enduring creativity and traditions of the Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and Santo Domingo peoples. The artistry of The Differences Between Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and Santo Domingo Jewelry Styles is truly something to appreciate.