Zuni Treasures

Located in Western New Mexico about thirty-five miles south of Gallup, the Zuni Pueblo is the largest pueblo in New Mexico, Of the 10,000 residents, the majority are artists working on jewelry, fetishes, pottery, and painting. In about 1918, trader C.G. Wallace came to Zuni to open a trading post and over the next fifty years helped the Zunis to develop their artistic talents in jewelry making. They learned new techniques, used new materials, and with his help found new markets for their work.

Many of the fine artists who worked for Wallace in the 1940’s and 1950’s are still actually working. We are pleased in having work for sale by Alice Quam, Virgil Dishta, Leonard Martza, Annie Quam Gasper, and Edward Beyuka. Later Zuni master artists are Dennis and Nancy Edakkie, Andrew Dewa, and Lena Boone.

Navajo Silversmiths

Beginning in the 1860’s, the Navajo learned how to “work?silver and have continued this tradition until the present. There have been many great Navajo artists in the past and even more are creating beautiful work today. The Gallery of the Southwest has many fine pieces from private collections, “dead?pawn, and dealers.

We have a great old piece owned by Navajo Chief Chee Dodge in our inventory. From his personal collection; the three-strand turquoises necklace is dated prior to 1935. An outstanding piece of art and history tied to one of the most famous Navajo leaders. Chee Dodge was one of the great Navajo leaders and was the first chairman of the Tribal Council in 1927 and served as the chairman again in 1935 and 1942. Ask for details on this necklace.

Hopi Art

High on three Mesas in Central Arizona, the Hopi Villages are filled with artists and farmers - and some are both. Initially, the Hopi jewelry was very similar in style and design to that of the Navajo, but beginning about 1938 or 1939 a new Hopi style of jewelry began to appear using the “overlay?technique, but due to the silver shortage during World War II, the technique didn’t take off until 1947 when Paul Saufkie and Fred Kobote began teaching young men under the GI Bill. Today, the Hopis use the overlay style for most of their jewelry and it is distinctive and beautiful.

One of the top great Hopi artists today is Lawrence Saufkie, son of Paul Saufkie. He began working in 1947 after learning from his father and continues his outstanding work. Lawrence, his brother Andrew, and son Wilmer are fine silversmiths as is his wife Gracilda who is also a great basket weaver. Certainly one of the “first families?in Hopi art whom we are pleased to represent.