Hopi Pueblo Silver Overlay Bracelet [SOLD]

Riley Polequaptewa has been an active silversmith since the 1970s.  His specialty is the traditional Hopi silver overlay technique promoted by the Hopi Arts & Crafts Co-op Guild which was formed in 1947, after World War II, when returning Hopi servicemen were trained at a silversmithing school founded under the G.I. bill.

The late Paul Saufkie, Sr. was the technical instructor and the late Fred Kabotie, noted Hopi artist and designer, taught design. Although many techniques of silver work were used, the overlay style gradually emerged as the dominate style. This simple, unique, elegant jewelry is now considered essentially the Hopi style of jewelry.

The Guild's purpose is to produce, purchase, promote, and sell handcrafts and jewelry. The Hopi Arts and Crafts Co-op Guild has its own building on Second Mesa, Arizona, next to the Hopi Cultural Center & Museum. Any craftsman, potter, basket maker, weaver or silversmith can have his or her work displayed and sold there. Half the building is devoted to work benches and supplies for the silversmiths.

Riley Polequaptewa sells his jewelry through the Guild and it bears his bear claw hallmark and the hallmark of the Guild.  This bracelet has both hallmarks stamped on the interior.

Reference:  The Little Book of Marks on Southwestern Silver, Silversmiths, Designers, Guilds and Traders by Bille Hougart

Recommended Reading:  The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry by Theda Bassman.  (Examples of Riley’s jewelry shown).  One copy of this book is available from Adobe Gallery.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: from a gentleman from Colorado