Near the 1st of December, the Zuni conduct a series of dances to celebrate a successful year’s harvest and to bless the latest village constructions. The festivities include a large feast as well as the performance of the Shalako Katsina. It is these Katsina that pray for the ever-vital rains to provide for the village crops. […]
Legends in Sand: The Evolution of the Modern Navajo Sandpainting
An article by Lee Anderson This brief article examines the Navajo sandpainting as both a religious item and an art item. We’ll present a brief history and discuss the sandpaintings as art forms that are used and made today. Lastly, we’ll at how this art form has evolved. Note that this brief article only touches […]
A History of Navajo Weaving
An article by by Lee & Eric Anderson In the Beginning It has often been said “the land was good for nothing else so we gave it to the Indians.” Nothing could be further from the truth. The original Navajo, the T’aa dine’, chose this very area some six to seven centuries ago. This nomadic people […]
Hopi Kachinas: Their Significance in Ceremony and Art
An article by Lee Anderson People tend to think of kachinas as wooden carvings of masked, human figures they see for sale at trading posts, galleries, and fairs. Or they know that kachinas are often offered as gifts to people in the tribe. But what do these carvings mean? Why are they created? First, kachinas […]
Caring For Your Jewelry
Jewelry Care Exercise care in protecting your investment and your selection of authentic Indian jewelry will bring you enjoyment for years to come. Turquoise. Turquoise is a porous stone. In even the hardest turquoise, deposits collecting in the pores of the stone can cause a color change. Therefore, care should be taken to protect the stones […]
The History of American Indian Jewelry
An article by Lee Anderson “Indian jewelry,” as we call it today, probably has origins that predate the advent of the persons we describe as American Indians or Native Americans. However, for the purpose of this paper, we will consider prehistoric man as prehistoric Indian. Archeological evidence shows us that stones (including turquoise), shells, and […]
The Squash Blossom Necklace
An article by Lee Anderson When Indian jewelry is mentioned, the symbol that often comes to mind is the squash blossom necklace — the cornerstone of most Indian jewelry collections. However, most people who own one or more pieces have no idea of its origin or meaning. Early Influences This particular art object is truly […]
Turquoise in Indian Jewelry
An article by Lee Anderson Turquoise has been native to jewelry in the Southwest for over 2000 years. Then, as now, the stone was deeply appreciated and revered. No doubt, the prehistoric Indians and the ancestors of our current Native Americans ascribed a multitude of properties to this stone. Pima of Southern Arizona According to […]
How the Quality of Turquoise Affects Its Use in Jewelry
An article by Lee Anderson What is the best turquoise for jewelry? The answer is, “it depends on the type of jewelry you desire.” Gem Grade and Rare If the piece is to be one-of-a-kind, competition, top-investment-quality, the turquoise should be gem grade and rare. The stone should compliment the artist and the gold or […]
Stones Used In American Indian Jewelry
An article by Lee Anderson This article explores stones (other than turquoise) that are commonly used in Indian jewelry: coral, sugilite, charoite, and gaspeite. To learn more about turquoise, read Lee Anderson’s articles. Coral Created by colonies of the marine coral polyp, coral is a calcium carbonate combined with magnesium. Originally, the best red coral […]