Zuni & Navajo Jewelry: Needlepoint Styles vs Cluster Styles

When we think about the United States, the first thing that comes to our mind is the high-rise building and the glamorous lifestyle. But there is another side of it that is less talked about — the tribes. Before the 17th century, the US was just tribes roaming through plains, constructing thoughts about life.In the 1800s, the USwanted to expand and grow to the west. Native Americans were given the option to adapt to the new society but they had their reservations. Even in the contemporary age, Navajos are living among globalized community while also keeping their culture alive. In this article, we will talk about Zuni and Navajo jewelry. Explore the Native American gallery to know more about Navajo art and crafts.

Zunijewelry isbeautiful, and it's been made for a longtime.In fact, it started being made during the 1850s when the Zunis first learned metalsmithingfrom the Spanish. It wasduring the 1870s when we first sawsilversmithing — and that was by the Navajos.The Navajos taught silversmithing to the Zunis at that point and it was by 1918, when wesaw the first silver work being done by Juan De Dios as well as Horace Iuli. And this is noted by John Adairwho was also very interested in jewelry.In fact, one of the very first books on Navajo, Zuni, Hopi jewelry was done by Adair only.

By 1920, we also got to see some channel work.And again,De Dios was the man who was responsible for that.This was noted by C.G. Wallace, a trader who started first in Rome in 1918 and was working for the Ilfeld company. Within a year, he got his license and by 1919, he was already working with Zuni.Often, when we think of Zuni, we think of pottery and basketry, but Zunis were also really good at jewelry making.C. G. Wallace was one of those individuals that really helped push the artform forward. CG Wallace opened his own place in 1928 — the CG Wallace Trading Post and by that time, we really started seeing much more Zuni jewelry being made.In fact, in that same year, we saw the first silver knife wing god that was being made by Horace Ioli. This is the image you see when you think of knife wing gods and Zuni.

Zuni jewelry was produced in the 1940s.The artists started making petty point.You could see cluster bracelets — some of this cluster work was being as early as in the late 20s. Horace Ioli was making these things for C.G. Wallace.Another thing you notice about Zuni jewelry is the needlepoint.It can be easily confused for Navajo jewelry. Zuni jewelry is a little heavier work as compared to Navajo. If we have to compare, Zuni and Navajo jewelry are of the same value but the Zuni work is very fine.Also, their channel work is relatively more detailed.

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Author’s Bio – The Aauthor is a blogger. This article is aboutZuni & Navajo Jewelry.

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jasminmaclean14 Joined: January 17th, 2019