Mitchell
Zephier, Lakota - Sterling
Silver | ||||||||||
Paula says - "This Lakota inlay overlay buckle features a Eagle Holding Medicine Wheel in the center with two bison on the left, a sacred pipe (chanupa) on the right and a stylized eagle above. Eagle talons coming down the sides are inlaid with black pipestone."
Two bison.
Sacred pipe of copper with a bison.
Fits up to a 1 1/4" belt. | Mitchell
Zephier, Lakota NBU236
- $350 plus s/h | |||||||||
Four directions medicine wheel with inlay of black pipestone, red pipestone, yellow sandstone, white alabaster. | ||||||||||
About Silver100% solid silver won't tarnish but it is too soft to use for making jewelry - it could easily be scratched, dented and bent. Sterling silver has a small amount of one or more other metals usually copper, added to the silver. To be called sterling silver, the alloy must contain at least 92.5% pure silver. Sterling silver alloy is harder than pure silver but the added metals also can cause discoloration or tarnish. |
What is Overlay?Native American overlay pieces are made of two layers of sterling silver. The bottom layer is a solid piece while the top layer has a cutout design. The cutout layer is placed over the bottom layer and the two pieces are "sweated" together, heated so that they become one solid piece of sterling silver. The bottom layer, or background, that shows through the cut out portion of the top layer is often darkened for contrast. Hopi silversmiths typically texture the background layer with hash marks while Navajo artists often leave the background smooth. Hopi artists tend to use geometric designs and symbols similar to those used in their pottery and baskets. Navajo silversmiths tend to create scenes depicting everyday life using people, animals, buildings and landscapes to tell a story - this style is called "overlay storyteller jewelry". Read more about overlay here. |
Mitchell Charles Zephier Mitchell Zephier grew up on the Cheyenne River and Rosebud Indian reservations. After marrying on Roxanne Apple Rosebud he gave re-birth to Plains Indian Jewelry, particularly Lakota metal adornment. He has mentored over 34 apprentices in the arts of metal-smithing and marketing.
Mitch has other forms of artistic expression. His album Cherish the Children won a National Native Music Award for Best Children's Album. Mitchell Zephier's latest venture is to team up with fellow artists to explore, on film this time, the issues that affect the lives of Native Young People in Cloud Horse Production's Lakota 4 Life, a Zephier inspired look at the issues, decisions, responsibilities and opportunities facing Native Youth today. Other family members and friends that work on the jewelry include his son Wakinyan Luta Zephier , Belle Starboy, Webster Two Hawk Jr., and Roger Dale Herron. |
Mitch
collaborates with fellow Lakota artists. Mitch has won numerous awards including
first place at Red Earth Show, several awards at the internationally prestigious
Sante Fe Indian Market as well as presented his work at far off Native American
venues like Schimutzun Celebration in Connecticut. He has also earned the South
Dakota Governor's award.