After Christmas stress (enjoyable stress), I’ve spent sometime relaxing and looking for a Hopi bolo for my husband. I typically spend time looking at several of my favorite galleries, but somehow always end up looking at eBay and auction sites also.
I know the topic of Hopi vs Navajo overlay has been beat to death on this forum, and there are several informative blogs on this issue (ie, the Messier’s “Overlay is not always Hopi Made”), but I thought it would be fun to discuss acouple of pieces I found stated to be Hopi or Navajo and see what y’all think:
First is a hallmarked “Navajo Sterling Bolo” found on an auction site. As I’m always attracted to Thunderbirds and eagles, this one caught my eye. I know I’ve seen this hallmark before, but don’t know who it is. It’s stated to be “unclassified” on Art-Amerindian:
Hi ~ here’s my 2 cents worth. I’m jumping in without doing any research. The Thunderbird bolo tie could be Navajo made. It’s a nice one (I don’t recognize the hallmark). The other 2 cuffs don’t look like Hopi work to me. Hopi jewelry has a certain aesthetic, imo, and I just don’t see it here. I could be totally wrong… hopefully, others will chime in. (I see an “Authenticity Guarantee” on that 3rd cuff, )
I like the first bolo. I’m used to seeing Navajo overlay minus the etching, but I think maybe we’ve had some on here with stippling marks in the oxidized portion, and I haven’t really looked at a lot of Navajo overlay in this vein. I can’t find the hallmark anywhere in my Hopi book, and for some reason it doesn’t have a Hopi hallmark look, if that makes sense. So
The other two don’t quite pass the smell test for me either, and couldn’t find that second hallmark. To me they also have a less crisp (I can’t find the exact word I want - precise maybe?) look than what I see in good Hopi work. Generally I can locate Hopi marks in my book, although I have a pair of earrings that I haven’t been able to find an exact match for the hallmark. But they have a little more refined etching then what’s in the two cuffs, and I feel like I remember being careful when I bought them about making sure they were Hopi.
I agree with the others. perhaps go to the hallmark page and look up some of the work of artists that have the sunface hallmark since they were taught at the guild. the etching should be meticulously close together and even. the cuts in the silver should be clean. Once you familiarize yourself with their work, you will know what to look for. Nice Eagle.
Overlay is one methodology that has a clear meaning, of being created in layers. When done by Hopi people, voila it’s Hopi overlay. Likewise for Navajo/Pueblo overlay: the technique, the people. If it isn’t handmade and composed of layers, it’s generally a machine process to simulate overlay, with liver of sulfur or the like blackening the recessed surface.
Thanks everyone; good discussion! Especially since everyone pretty much agrees with my thoughts😆.
The first piece may well be Navajo, but it seems that sellers state a piece is Navajo if they are uncertain of the maker (kinda like Kingman ). It could also be pueblo, like Tohono O’odham artist Rick Manuel, or others.
The second 2 pieces are perfect examples of “buyer beware” when looking for Hopi. I find the quality and style of etching on these coarse, sloppy, and actually “weird.” Makes me think the maker added these dashes to appear to be overlay with etching. It’s frustrating that so many stated Native American pieces are incorrectly advertised; but that gives us a lot to discuss😁…thus the relevance of this forum! And it’s another reason to go with honest galleries known to carry quality authentic pieces!
The first piece (Bola) is interesting because it employs expert background stamping, and precise saw work in the Hopi fashion, as do Ziacat‘s earrings. Note that this can be precisely reproduced in a cast down piece from an original work as well. Of all the pieces shown, these are most likely IMO to have originally been made by a Hopi silversmith.
Here’s one more; I really like this pin/pendant! So do ya’all think this is Hopi or other silver overlay? I won’t reveal what I thought, but will reveal the hallmark so we’ll all know.
This one really is different in that it doesn’t display the same level of really expert saw work, even edges, and fine background stamping one sees in more contemporary Hopi work. Conversely the elements that look like Navajo stampwork give the impression of Navajo rather than Hopi work. To me this piece looks experimental.
What’s interesting is the pin finding, and sterling stamp don’t look at all like early work. And the sort of haphazard way the stamps are placed are also unusual for the sort of meticulous work one typically sees with Hopi jewelry.
I’m not familiar with the artist you’ve referenced @Bmpdvm. Are there other examples of their work you can post?
ETA: Did a quick google search for Pooyama, and this does look like it’s from the same hand. It truly is an unusual style.
I didn’t have time to dig deep, but here is a little I found on him, and a quick screenshot of some similar pieces (I don’t have access to my Hopi silversmithing book at the moment).
It’s interesting to see the mixture of styles in his work. He clearly worked as much in Navajo style silversmithing, as he did with Hopi themes. Really good stamp maker as well, which gives the impression he apprenticed at some point with Navajo silversmiths.
Thanks @mmrogers. I did look at some of his other production, but I found this piece interesting as it does not have a finished edge, which IMO would have made it look a bit more completed.
Thanks for the other examples @Ziacat. Great to see these early examples. That parrot brooch has me drooling!
Nice pin. Has some similar design of the earrings I have. he is highly collectible…although not as collectible as some eBay seller thinks. Someone is selling my earrings for $1300. . good luck with that.
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). It could also be pueblo, like Tohono O’odham artist Rick Manuel, or others.
. good luck with that.