Stanley
Gene, Navajo -Sterling Silver | ||||||||
A striking sterling silver overlay buckle with a black oxidized background and bright top layer. | Stanley
Gene, Navajo NBU109
- $255
plus s/h | |||||||
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What is Overlay? Overlay pieces are made of two sterling silver layers. The bottom layer is a piece of solid sterling silver. The top sterling silver layer has a cutout design. The cutout is placed over the bottom layer and the two pieces are "sweated" together, that is heated so that they become one. The bottom layer (background to the cutout) is usually accented. The Navajo silversmiths oxidize the bottom layer which darkens it. Hopi silversmiths oxidize and etch the background (texturize it) with hash marks. |
What is the "Man In A Maze"? © 2008 Cherry Hill © Copyright Information The figure known as the "Man In A Maze," depicts a man entering or exiting a labyrinth. It is a theme seen on baskets from as far back as the nineteenth century and occasionally in Navajo silver art. Such depictions of labyrinths are also found in ancient petroglyphs (Native American rock art). The symbol can represent a person's journey through life. The maze contains many twists and turns, meant to represent choices made in life. The center is round and dark, so the journey can be from darkness to light or vice versa depending on which way you are headed! Some interpret the center as a representation of a person's dreams and goals. When you reach the center, you have reached your goals and the sun god there blesses you and helps you pass into the next world. Another interpretation of this symbol is that the man represents the human seed and the maze is the womb. As the man enters the maze, he creates new life which represents reincarnation or eternal life. |
