Hopi Silver Overlay Earrings with Amethyst [SOLD]

This pair of Hopi Pueblo pyramidal silver overlay earrings hang from the pierced ear post that hosts an amethyst gemstone. The earrings do not have the stamp of the silversmith. Each earring has a cut out of a triangle with a hook end. Below there are three stamped fan-shape impressions.

The Hopi overlay technique was introduced by Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton at the Museum of Northern Arizona in the 1930s. She recognized the need for Hopi silversmiths to have a distinctive style. Along with the assistance of Hopi silversmiths like Victor Coochwytewa, a unique style based on traditional Hopi pottery and textile designs was developed. The technique, called overlay, involves two layers of silver sheets-a design is etched into one sheet, which is then set onto a second sheet with a cut out design allowing the lower sheet to show through. The top layer is polished, and the bottom layer is darkened by oxidation.

After World War II, the Indian Education Division of the Department of Interior developed a silversmithing program for returning Hopi veterans. These programs were taught by well-known silversmiths Fred Kabotie and Paul Saufkie. By this time the distinctive overlay style was associated with artists from Hopi. It is this style that this unknown silversmith employed in this pair of earrings.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Hopi Silver Overlay Earrings with Amethyst is from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery

Recommended Reading: The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry by Theda Bassman

TAGS: Southwest Indian Jewelry, Hopi Pueblo, Fred Kabotie, Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton