Evolving Southwest Indian Jewelry

by Nancy N. Schiffer

Overview

This new book is a classic study of Southwest Native American jewelry that documents the fascinating story of evolving designs and techniques from early traders and artists up to the present. The concise yet highly informative text accompanies over 500 color photographs of silver, turquoise, shell, and gold jewelry. Here is a chronological progression of Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and Pueblo belts, buckles, bracelets, necklaces, men’s jewelry, earrings, and pins from the late 19th century to the present. Classic styles are shown to have evolved as new materials, techniques, and uses developed. Many contemporary artists are showcased, bringing this important study right up to date.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780764317231
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
Publication date:	03/31/2003
Series:	A Schiffer Book for Collectors Ser.
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 12.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Nancy N. Schiffer has studied American Indian arts for over 25 years and finds the new jewelry styles fascinating.

Editorial Reviews

Although the distinctive silver jewelry created by Indians of the American Southwest dates back at least to the mid-19th century, since that time white traders have influenced various aspects of this art form. Here art appraiser and prolific author Schiffer traces these influences, naming individual traders and the Indian artists who emerged to create many of the illustrated items of jewelry in this book. The more than 500 color photographs of the pieces are organized by category, with an index of artists in the back. Unfortunately, not all pieces shown are identified by artist, and not every piece's tribal provenance is known. Nevertheless, a rich array of belts, bracelets, bolo ties, earrings, necklaces, pins, and rings are pictured. Most are made of silver-a recent innovation is the use of gold-and the ubiquitous turquoise, but other stones and beads are also used. One of the chapters is devoted to traditional jewelry-making techniques, a second to modern innovations. This book will please connoisseurs of Southwest Indian jewelry but is not a comprehensive guide to the jewelry of the region. Its value is in the visual pleasure from looking at the great variety of items pictured. Recommended for large public and academic libraries.-Therese Duzinkiewicz Baker, Western Kentucky Univ. Libs., Bowling Green Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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