Silverware

Native Indian jewelry, especially the Navajo and Zuni variety, generated a growing interest for its magnificent design and manufacturing. It is based on a tradition that is not long, dating back to the mid-19th century. The emphasis here is on the silverware that is used in the manufacture of jewelry. It is a story that is worth seeking. It is an American legacy of the native Indians, from the time of the Spanish conquest. So in that sense it is a tradition that dates back to the time the founders of America.

Native American jewelry was, and is generally classified into two broad categories - beadwork and metalwork. Beadwork has a long history dating back to the pre-Columbian era. He focused on the use of natural materials and semi-precious stones such as turquoise and shells, animal bones and ivory.
In this article, I focus on the work of metal jewelry. Because the skills and technologies for metals have not been made after the arrival of Europeans in the Americas, jewelry silverware was before that period, a relatively simple command. Iron and copper were used, so was the latest, brass and silver. The technique has been hammer and burning manual. The structuring of the money came after goldsmiths Gold work was introduced by the Spaniards.

The influence on the south-west of America. In fact, it was the first of the Mexicans who have learned the skills of the goldsmith of Spanish invaders. After the Indians from Mexico, their skills gradually grew and developed in the complex use of money with precious stones like turquoise, with distinctive designs that are surprisingly catchy.

The Navajo are credited to the tribe that helped to spread the art of goldsmithing. Being a nomadic nature, the Navajo often came into contact with Spanish in the south-west around the late 16th century. There were clashes and sometimes friendly association. Spaniards of jewelry and ornaments fascinated Indians. And they started to copy or incorporate the Spanish style and began to wear curios made from so-called German silver. But silverware, using the money, is not yet at hand.

Although history is not completely certain, it is generally thought that was the first Navajo silversmith Atsidi Sani (also known as "Old Smith"), and the manufacture of silver jewelry began in 1860 e. Sani Atsidi was among some 8,000 of the Navajo tribe who were captured and imprisoned at Fort Sumner in New Mexico from 1864 to 1868. It seems that by the end of captivity, Atsidi Sani learned the art of goldsmithing. The art was passed on to his son, and spread to the Zuni in around 1872. Atsidi Chon (also known, can be descriptive, as "Ugly Smith) taught his friend Zuni Lanyade the ability to make money. Navajo style was transmitted to the Hopi, when they learned to turn silver jewelry from the Zuni.

In the early days, the source of the money from Mexico and the United States was coins. The United States coins, to be easily accessible and good quality, have often been used. In 1890, a law was passed prohibiting the melting of coins from the United States, but was more often honored in the breach of the observation.