Magnificent collection! Thanks for sharing these little masterpieces!
Your central Knifewing reminds me of this one crafted by Horace Iule that I’ve been dreaming about for a long time. Because of it’s “UITA 2” stamp, it’s ties to C.G. Wallace’s trading post, and it’s subsequent price tag, I feel it will remain just that.
@Ravenscry, sure…I’ll be happy to get better photos when I get a chance (I just put them away ). The knifewing above the center Iule cast piece is by Alonzo Hustito.
And, your Sunface is magnificent, Droolworthy is my new descriptor (thanks @chicfarmer), I’ve not seen anything quite like it!
I’ve seen the same Iule UITA2 Knifewing. We’d have to fight over it…what a treasure that would be!!
Seriously amazing. I think this might be my favorite of all time. Fantastic and congratulations @Ravenscry !!!
Unbelievable
I’m going out on a wing here and posting one of my pieces for the first time.
Not sure why it’s taken me three years … hmm
Your Knifewing is absolutley stunning! The turquoise is beautiful with it’s heavy matrix, and the patina is just downright perfection.
I definitely favor the older pieces. Yours appears early and unique, an absolute gem!! Thank you for sharing! Do you have any information on it? Approximate vintage or any history?
Now that you’ve got me on the hook with this fine Knifewing…what other lovely pieces are you keeping to yourself?
That’s one heck of a first time photo post for one of your pieces. Really nice! Any info on it?
Thank you @Ravenscry and @TAH.
I appreciate the kind words.
No collection history, unsigned of course. Initially I was drawn to the early feeling of the piece - that square cut stone which I associate with those early bracelets and rings let’s say from around 1900.
Although I don’t believe this is anywhere near that old - I’m guessing this piece is from the 1930’s (?)
At one point I wondered if it might be a Fred Harvey piece but have decided it’s probably not.
All opinions welcome.
I’m no professional, but in my opinion, the (what appears to be?) flat cut, rectangular stone and it’s plain bezel are telling, as is the simple stamp work performed with a small number of tools. The stamps that are placed at the feet, near the thighs, and at the top of the head are reminiscent of a design that heralds from Isleta Pueblo, although it’s slightly different.
Have you happened to test for silver content? I’d be very curious. I agree with you, this looks earlier than Fred Harvey to me. It lacks the over abundance of stamp work, appears to be hand wrought ingot of heavier gauge and fails to emit any thought of mass production.
Personally, I feel you’re not too far off. As you well know, there are a couple schools of thought on who first crafted Knifewing in silver, as well as the approximate year it was done. In John Adair’s The Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths, he credits Horace Iule with the first rendering of it in 1928, being of hand cut and filed ingot silver. Another thought is that Ike Wilson was the first to bring this hero of Zuni to life in silver. Regardless of who, in my opinion, yours screams late 20’s/early 30’s. But as I mentioned, these are simply my opinions.
The only known is that your Knifewing is a stunning example! Anyone fond of early Navajo and Pueblo silver would be proud to wear it and have it in their collection!
I know very little about Knifewings, they’re not really in my wheelhouse, but this little guy is absolutely beautiful.
You unknowingly reminded me of a question I’d meant to ask yesterday, thanks Zia!
@August, would you be willing to share the dimensions of your Knifewing?
Thank you @Ziacat , I appreciate your kind words
And thanks again @Ravenscry for your fine and detailed response. So much great info. in there. As I look at the piece with refreshed eyes framed by your comments I can’t conceive of this as a Fred Harvey piece. In addition to no appearance of mass production this piece has a special " soul " that I experience in earlier pieces.
In terms of testing, I can only do the JSP drop test, and it reads as a fine silver but does not read as a red / cranberry color I get with Sterling.
It is approx. 68mm wide ( wing tip to wing tip ) and approx. 74mm overall height.
It is indeed a a flat cut rectangular stone
It weighs 20 grams.
OK…thanks for asking about me other things I own.
Here are two other pendants - completely different in age, style and manufacture from my Knifewing.
They are a pair , virtually the exact same size and weight but each is unique. Both are signed with a co-joined JT on the back.
I know they are not Knifewing, nor Rainbowmen, but I feel they belong on this thread as much as any.
Here is " A "
This one is 4.5 inches wide x 5.0 inches high and weighs 100grams.
The hallmark looks like it could be by the Navajo silversmith Jessie Thompson but I originally felt they were Hopi.
I think they are mid-century 60’s - 70’s and know they are very finely crafted.
All opinions welcome.
Oops…I see I have already sent the wrong photo in my last post.
The first photo - with the close-up angled head - is actually " B "
Yikes !!!
" B" is virtually the exact same size and weighs 97.2 grams
They both test sterling.
Enjoy!
Those are fabulous! I really like the first one with the graduated feathers on the outside. Beautiful stones, stamping and silver work. Could it be JOE TORTALITA? Here is one of his thunderbirds.
Your pendants are beautiful, thank you for sharing!
The symmetry in pieces like these is pleasing, to me, and yours showcase some lovely overlay and stamp work. As @nanc9354 points out, the stones are wonderful and the level of craftsmanship in these is very apparent. The patina is favorable, as well.
Just a friendly suggestion, you could post these in @Ziacat’s dedicated bird thread…
Your pendants are exceptional and the turquoise in each is beautiful. To me, these look like representations of a Thunderbird. Thanks for sharing these beauties.
ETA: I checked my Bille Hougart’s book “Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks” for the hallmark on your pendants. Unfortunately, I didn’t come across a match. (In Hougart’s book, the JT hallmark for Jessie Thompson does not match your hallmark.)
August, your pendants are terrific! The stamp work in the JT pendant is well done and unique, especially the stylistic feathers. Thanks for posting both!
A second friendly suggestion is if you have any belt buckles or concho belts that you would like to share, the followers of this thread and I would be thrilled to see them.