This is a Hopi Sunface (Tawa) pin/ brooch that recently found its way to me. I was immediately drawn in to the depiction of 2 different types of feathers. I haven’t seen a Sunface quite like this before. I’m interpreting them as eagle feathers & turkey feathers, though that may be totally inaccurate. Pin is 2.25” in diameter and hallmarked for Steven Pooyouma.
That is a beautiful pin, Patina. The layout and execution is perfect. Love the feathers! ![]()
Patina this is beautfiul. Great Hopi overlay is so magnificent, and Sunfaces always induce a smile. Yours is perfectly balanced, has lovely color, and carries a uniqueness with its equal number of different feathers. I love this! ![]()
Thank you for sharing!
@TAH @Ravenscry Thank you both for your very kind comments about my Hopi pin/pendant. I think it’s a beauty and, I’m so happy I purchased it.
I love this! I have never seen anything quite like it! I haven’t seen any sun face other than the typical Zuni inlay pieces. Is a beak instead of a round mouth common? I love it!!
That’s a great pin @Patina . Nicely executed.
@StevesTrail Thank you! It’s quickly become one of my favorites to wear.
Thank you. I honestly don’t know if that’s common or not. For the most part, Hopi Guild marks use this mouth shape as do several Hopi silversmiths for their individual Sunface hallmark. Perhaps it’s just more in alignment with Hopi work.
@chris, I know nothing of Hopi jewelry, but I do have a Sunface bolo slide on which the mouth is fashioned similarly to @Patina’s beautiful pin.
As @Patina pointed out, it is common among Hopi hallmarks, and seems to be on other forms, as well. This beautfiul Sunface kachina by Arvin Saufkie presents with it, as well.
My wife’s only piece of Hopi jewelry is this little Sunface pendant with the same shape mouth on a Hopi chain.
So handsome. The Hopi Tawa (sun spirit) is the primary creator in their cosmology. Would love to know if there’s meaning to the difference in the feathers. Congrats!
Oh boy, that’s a keeper for sure. Congratulations on your find.
Thank you! I’m pretty curious about those feathers myself. This could be a fun (or frustrating, lol) down-a-rabbit-hole research project. If I come across anything noteworthy, I’ll share it.
Thank you for your kind words! I’m very happy with it. I’m a bit surprised that I even came across it. The seller had it listed/identified as a Zuni pin/pendant. I pretty much search only for Hopi jewelry nowadays.
Definitely meant to be yours!
This is exquisite!! Another wonderful addition to your expanding Hopi jewelry collection. I must admit when I saw @Ravenscry’s shadow box for his knifewings, I immediately thought about how good your Hopi pendants and pins would look in something like that. When I first started collecting jewelry I was drawn to Hopi items, and I’ve gotten away from it, but last year you inspired me to buy my Ruben Saufkie ring (which I wear constantly). My goal is to someday buy a wide Hopi cuff, but I haven’t found the right one yet that I can afford.
And I agree they look like two different types of feathers. I would guess eagle for the ones on the right side, I don’t really know about the others, but I suspect you are right about them possibly being turkey feathers. I went down a teeny rabbit hole to look at different feathers, and found these. I did not research how they would look in Hopi jewelry; just in actual birds for fun.
Turkey feathers…
Eagle…
@Ziacat Thank you for your lovely comment. Shadow boxes are a really nice idea - I just don’t have available wallspace, lol. Your Ruben Saufkie ring is fabulous! I can definitely understand wearing it constantly. I plan to do some research on these stylized feathers. They’ve piqued my curiosity. Methinks I need to purchase some more books about Hopi jewelry
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@Patina your brooch is an absolute stunner! And truly unique. I too love the different half-circles of feathers, both of them so precisely fashioned. Leaving aside what type of bird feathers they are, I wonder if this could be a reference to the rising or setting sun? More likely it’s just a design decision, but it’s fun to theorize
Thank you for sharing this beauty!
@chamekke Thank you! I do believe that the feathers represent the sun’s rays. What I find unique is the use of 2 different types of feathers. Does that have any meaning? To me, it’s just a beautiful rendition of the NA Sunface design.








