Set of Six Silver and Turquoise Iced Tea Spoons [SOLD]

“Morris Robinson was one of the great forerunners of Charles Loloma.  According to the 1923 U. S. Indian Census, Morris was already living and working in Phoenix, AZ.  In 1924, he was living with Hopi jeweler Grant Jenkins.  They made jewelry for Graves and Vaughn’s Indian Store in Phoenix.  During the next four decades, Morris became a master goldsmith and silversmith.  His creative and innovative designs distinguished him among his other peers: Ralph Tawangyawma, Harold Jenkins, Frank Nutima, Allen Pooyouma, and Pierce Kewanwytewa. They influenced the next generation of contemporary Hopi jewelers, including Preston Monongye and Charles Loloma.

“Morris Robinson was also an innovator and pioneer incorporating art deco styling into his jewelry very early on.  He preceded Charles Loloma and Kenneth Begay in becoming the first Native American master goldsmith in the southwest.” Schaaf 2013, 201

Morris Robinson was of the Lizard/Snake Clan from the villages of Oraibi and Bacabi on the Hopi Third Mesa.  His hallmark is H & a snake.  He has been extensively collected and published.

These six iced tea spoons with long slim handles illustrate his Art Deco style.  Each spoon has an oval blue turquoise cab set on the handle and stamping along a portion of the length of the handle.  Each spoon is stamped with his hallmark. 

Condition: excellent

Reference and Recommended Reading:  American Indian Jewelry III: M-Z, 2100 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf.  This book is currently not available at Adobe Gallery.

Provenance: from a gentleman from Denver, Colorado