The Hopi and Their Jewelry

Hopi Silver Overlay JewelrySikyatala then began to use the technique of
The jewelry of the Hopi has a style distinct frommaking silver jewelry. Other Hopi also began to
that of the other Native Americans. The Hopi arefollow and emulate the work of Sikyatala. In time
known for the use of silver overlay, which utilizesthe Hopi developed their own style, that of using
a technique of fusing two layers of silver. Theoverlay silver.
eye-catching and often elaborate design is on theHopi Silversmiths Paul Saufie and Fred Kabote
top layer, while the bottom layers serves as aThis technique did not so much evolve as was
base.created by the Hopi silversmiths Paul Saufkie and
It was not so long ago that the Hopi developedFred Kabote who were involved in a program at
this technique. In fact the Hopi were not muchthe Museum of Northern Arizona in 1938. After
into the making of silver. In their relative isolationWorld War II the Hopi Guild was formed to
on the northeastern Arizona high plains, or mesas,encourage a program of silversmith training.
they were somewhat firewalled (so to speak)The designs of the silver overlay jewelry of the
against external influences. Even their interactionHopi were also unique in that they adapted
with other Native Americans was limited.designs from the old broken pottery pieces of
Silversmithing of Native Americansthe 15th and 16th centuries. New motifs were
So while the Navajo learned and developed theiralso incorporated by the Hopi Guild, including
silversmithing skills, a technique brought to thekachina symbols.
south-west of the American continent by theThe cross-currents in Native American jewelry
Spaniards, and which was then taken up by thenowadays mean that there are cross-influences
Zuni, the Hopi were still practising their own artisticas well. And different styles from the different
heritage based on weaving and pottery. Theycurrents may well find themselves evident in any
were also adept at the making of kachina dolls,piece of modern American Native jewelry.
for which they deservedly remain renowned.But the fascinating development of Native
Time, of course, would not stand still, and evenAmerican silversmiths and their crafts, in their
relatively isolated communities began to open up.different streams of artistic design, does not
Trading and commerce grew and the Hopitotally obscure the original creativity. The silver
through their interaction with the Zuni exposedoverlay technique was the creation of the Hopi,
them to the craft of silver jewelry, at which theeven if it may now be employed by others.
Zuni were now skilled. Lanyade, a Zuni, learned hisMichael Kabotie
silversmithing from the Navajo, and began to sellIn ending, it may be noted that the work of Fred
his silver jewelry. He travelled amongst the HopiKabote was continued by his son Michael Kabote
and Sikyatala became his student in 1898.(also spelled 'Kabotie'). Michael Kabotie recently
Sikyatalapassed away at the age of 67. He was a
Sikyatala is credited to be the first Hopitrail-blazer in the Native American fine arts
silversmith. It is reported that while Lanyade wasmovement, both as a Hopi artist and jeweler. His
at the Hopi reservation for four months, makingpaintings were well-received, depicting traditional
and selling his silver jewelry pieces, SikyatalaHopi life. For a number of years, he also taught
wasstudiously observing and learning from thethe Hopi overlay technique at the Idyllwild Arts
master at close range.program in Southern California.