n 1898 Sikyatala, who lived in Sichmeovi on First Mesa, was the first Hopi to learn the craft of silversmithing. He was taught by Lanyade, a Zuni, who was the first of his tribe to take up the craft. Lanyade visited the Hopi reservation to make silver for sale and trade. He stayed at First Mesa for four months, living with Sikyatala who closely observed Lanyade at work. When Lanyade left to go back to Zuni, Sikyatala bought tools of his own and began crafting silver as well as teaching other Hopis to craft this beautiful metal as well. Early on, the designs were in the style of Navajo and Zuni patterns of the time. The now prized overlay began to emerge as a Hopi style in the late 1930's and 1849's, due to the encouragement of Mary Russell Colton, who co founded the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff with her husband, Dr. Harold Colton. There was no immediate success until after World War II when Paul Saufkie, Jr., a Hopi jeweler taught silversmithing techniques beginning in 1847. With the organization of the Hopi Arts and Crafts Silvercraft Cooperative Guild on Second Mesa in 1949, a whole panoply of patterns and designs evolved. With the arrival of Hopicrafts in 1961, superior workmanship and close attention given to the smallest detail merged with outstanding designs to produce the quality of work that lead to a flouring market one finds today.

 

ITEM# 0178J Lawrence Saufkie, Hopi.

This artist is considered one of the leaders among Hopi craftsmen whose work is part of this flourishing market of exquisite jewelry. This is noted in Theda Bassman's "Treasures Of The Hopi", page 12. This piece is a silver overlay belt buckle with two bears and a water design above. Overlay is a two-layer silver technique in which two pieces of silver are formed into flat pieces of the same shape. A design is cut into the top piece with a jewelry saw; the bottom piece is textured and oxidized with liver of sulphur, turning it black. Then the two pieces are soldered together, with the cut-out design as the top. This piece can be purchased alone or in combination with ITEMS# 0179J and 0180J.
 

Size 3" long by 1-7/8" wide

Price: $600.00 Mint Condition.
How to Order

 

ITEM# 0179J Lawrence Saufkie, Hopi.

 

A beautiful silver overlay bracelet with three bears following one another round the piece. Can be purchased alone or in combination with ITEMS# 0178J and 0180J.

Size 5-7/8" long by 1" wide

Price: $600.00 Mint Condition.
How to Order

 

ITEM# 0180J Lawrence Saufkie, Hopi.

 

This piece is a round silver overlay pin/pendant with a bear and water design above. Can be purchased alone or in combination with ITEMS# 0178J and 0179J.

Size 1-3/4" diameter

Price: $425.00 Mint Condition.
How to Order