Calvin
Peterson, Navajo - Sterling Silver | |||||||||||||||
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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. | |||||||||||||||
About Sunface SymbolismThe Sunface is found throughout Zuni art, from jewelry to weavings to pottery. It represents the sunlight and warmth that makes life and growth possible and brings playfulness and joy to children and good fortune and prosperity to families. The center of the circle represents the face of Sun. The two sections of the forehead are typically turquoise and coral and symbolize the continuous cycle of sunrise and sunset. The lower part of the Sunface is mother of pearl with rectangular eyes and round mouth of jet. Bordering the face is a circle of feathers, usually of mother of pearl and jet or coral. |
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