When travellers to the South West of the United States first encounter the marvelous craftmanship and finesse of Navajo jewelry, they often assume that it must be part of a tradition going back many hundreds of years. In actual fact, the art of metal working only arrived in Native American communities when the Spanish and other Europeans went to America. Although the skills were only acquired by the Navajo and other South Western Natives in approximately the middle of the 19th century, the skill and beauty of the pieces is often inspired.
The Navajo call themselves 'Dineh' in their own tongue, which is related to that of their neighbors the Apache. The silver working skills of the Dineh were taught to them by the Spanish, but not by Spanish jewellers. Instead, the skills of metal working were learned at the cruder forges of blacksmiths, working with iron, not precious metals.
The Dineh were compelled to use very unsophisticated tools in the early days of the craft, often shaped from pieces of scrap metal. Shears, hammers and files were later acquired through trade. The Dineh then took their skills to other Native Americans, and Zuni jewelry especially developed a strong identity and quality of its own.
But the Dineh retained their preeminent place as the finest of the South West's native metalworkers. Early charcoal forges were made from mud by the Dineh, while tree stumps or rocks often took the place of more conventional anvils. Sliver 'slugs' or small ingots, were made in earthenware or iron crucibles, before being pounded flat.
The craftsman would then form the shape that he wanted using shears and other cutting tools. Polishing work would be done with ashes or fine sand, to give the items the required finish. A final buffing for American Indian artifacts such as this was often carried out using buckskin.
Turquoise has been a gem stone associated with the Dineh since before the days of the arrival of the Europeans in the New World. This distinctive greenish blue gem was used alongside shells in Dineh ornaments before the acquisition of metal working skills by Native Americans. Many contemporary Dineh craftsmen and women still use turquoise to give their week a distinctive cultural emphasis.
With such striking workmanship and style, it is no wonder that Navajo jewelry continues to attract notice today. Combining Native American tradition with the kind of skills which take a lifetime to learn, the items are strikingly individual in appearance. Their place of origin, cultural background and sheer beauty make them a genuine American classic.
The Navajo call themselves 'Dineh' in their own tongue, which is related to that of their neighbors the Apache. The silver working skills of the Dineh were taught to them by the Spanish, but not by Spanish jewellers. Instead, the skills of metal working were learned at the cruder forges of blacksmiths, working with iron, not precious metals.
The Dineh were compelled to use very unsophisticated tools in the early days of the craft, often shaped from pieces of scrap metal. Shears, hammers and files were later acquired through trade. The Dineh then took their skills to other Native Americans, and Zuni jewelry especially developed a strong identity and quality of its own.
But the Dineh retained their preeminent place as the finest of the South West's native metalworkers. Early charcoal forges were made from mud by the Dineh, while tree stumps or rocks often took the place of more conventional anvils. Sliver 'slugs' or small ingots, were made in earthenware or iron crucibles, before being pounded flat.
The craftsman would then form the shape that he wanted using shears and other cutting tools. Polishing work would be done with ashes or fine sand, to give the items the required finish. A final buffing for American Indian artifacts such as this was often carried out using buckskin.
Turquoise has been a gem stone associated with the Dineh since before the days of the arrival of the Europeans in the New World. This distinctive greenish blue gem was used alongside shells in Dineh ornaments before the acquisition of metal working skills by Native Americans. Many contemporary Dineh craftsmen and women still use turquoise to give their week a distinctive cultural emphasis.
With such striking workmanship and style, it is no wonder that Navajo jewelry continues to attract notice today. Combining Native American tradition with the kind of skills which take a lifetime to learn, the items are strikingly individual in appearance. Their place of origin, cultural background and sheer beauty make them a genuine American classic.
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