Description
Book SynopsisA dazzling exploration of both traditional and contemporary jewelry. Spectacular photographs of the breathtaking beautiful objects and sensitive portraits of the artists combine with an insightful, informative text to capture the spirit of this work and the vital cultures from which it springs. This ground-breaking volume opens by surveying the vividly colored necklaces, earrings, and pins made in shell and stone from prehistoric times to the present, particularly in the Santo Domingo and Zuni pueblos. The focus then shifts to the much-admired and avidly collected work in silver — often set with turquoise and other stones — by Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni artists. The book culminates in an exploration of striking contemporary work in which many artists have adapted traditional approaches to create original designs. A collector's guide offers invaluable advice as well as an illustrated glossary of materials, techniques, objects, and designs. A nationwide directory of sources concludes the book.
Trade Review"Since prehistoric times, the native peoples of the Southwestern part of what is now the United States have used turquoise and shell, symbols of sky and water, in the jewelry they have made for personal adornment. Cirillo outlines how Native Americans worked other stones into this artistic vocabulary and how they borrowed silver and silversmithing from the Spanish in the 19th century. She traces the delicate relationship between traditional design and the demands of trade; the techniques usually associated with Navaho, Zuni, and Hopi artists; and the contemporary sharing and swapping of creative ideas. Much of the splendidly illustrated jewelry here is made by family groups who share both design and execution responsibilities; and though much of it is museum quality, none of it is unwearable. Cirillo ends with a glossary and a list of reputable dealers throughout the country (she includes New York's best gallery, so her sources are sound). Excellent for collectors and for those who seek to define the dance between art and commerce." - GraceAnne A. DeCandido, School Library Journal
Table of ContentsIntroduction Patterns in Stone: Beads and Mosaic Jewelry from Prehistory to the Present Designs in Metal: A History of Southwestern Silver Jewelry New Directions: Contemporary Jewelry in Metal and Stone A Collectors Guide and Glossary Notes Sources for Jewelry Acknowledgments Suggestions for Further Reading Index
