Southwestern Indian Jewelry

"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