The elegance of the cross. A Native American jewelry tradition

We have just emailed a notice to those who have signed up to hear from us announcing a sale on Native American cross pendants.

The cross pendant is an interesting object of Native American jewelry. Of the many abstract and representational creations by Zuni and Navajo jewelry artists, the crucifix inherently extends to both traditional Native American culture and predominantly Christian European culture.

The cross came into the Native American culture through the influence of Spanish Catholic explorers and religious authorities. As they moved through the Indian territories of the Southwest, they spread the gospel, converting thousands of Natives to Christian beliefs. At least, they convinced the Indians that it was economically and socially wise to add Christian symbols and ceremonies to their traditions, even if they weren't "true believers."

Over generations, Native Americans absorbed christian theology and blended it with their native tribal religions. Mission churches did not replace kivas, but they certainly assumed a place alongside them.

It was natural then that the development of silver work and lapidary by talented Navajo, Zuni and other tribal jewelry artisans would be expressed in crosses to be worn as pendants. Today, designs vary while retaining substantial fidelity to the basic crucifix form. They have been created in gold and silver (less gold these days, given the expense of that medium). They have been studded with cabuchons of turquoise, lapis, shell, coral and other semi-precious stones. They have included delicate inlay and channel work with the same stones.

The result is a bounty of jewelry possibilities, all of which permit and encourage the faithful to display their Christian beliefs while making statements of beauty and taste. Of additional interest is the fact that many, many authentic Native American cross pendants, while elegant and attractive are surprisingly inexpensive to give and wear.

Now, until Easter 2012, we are offering a 10% discount on all our Navajo crosses and Zuni crosses. Simply use the code "faith" when you order on line or by phone (800-305-0185) 10% will be deducted from the listed price.

Thank you and Happy Easter.

PS: We don't intend to offend our Jewish adherents. There are many non-Christian Native American designs that will make wonderful additions to the Native American jewelry wardrobe of people of all faiths. But the relationship between traditional Native American culture and Christian beliefs is a fact, and can't be ignored.

A Primer on Old Zuni Pueblo Art

We have recently come across a video that was recorded by Deb Slaney, currently Curator at the Albuquerque Museum, when she was with the Heard Museum, Phoenix.

It is a fascinating discussion of the background of the C.G. Wallace Collection and the artists and work represented in it.

This link will take you to it on YouTube. http://youtu.be/0J1Kwij6PJs

As collectors, dealers and students of Native American jewelry, and Zuni art particularly, we are always interested in learning more about the history of Zuni jewelry and carvings, and the techniques of the artists who created it a generation ago.

Colin Coonsis, Zuni jewelry artist speaks at the Wheelwright Museum

We have been very privileged to have several Native American artists appear on our video camera to talk about their work and their motivations. If you scroll down, you will find videos by Dee Edaakie and Melvin Sandoval.

Now, we were able to videotape Colin Coonsis as he was speaking to a group at the Wheelwright Museum in Santa Fe, NM. His exposition is compelling in its honesty and fascinating in its detail.



We are pleased to consider Colin a friend. We have done business with his mother, Rolanda Haloo, and are showing on our web site a photo of an extraordinary inlaid concho belt created by his father, Harlan Coonsis. Beautiful work by Harlan and Rolanda can be seen at our web site, Native-JewelryLink.com. New items acquired from Colin will be posted there shortly.

Zuni Festival at Museum of Northern Arizona

This is the weekend for the Annual Zuni Festival of Arts and Culture at the Museum of Northern Arizona in flagstaff.

In its 18^th year, the festival will be held on Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25 as a collaboration of the MNA and the A’shiwi A’wan Museum and Heritage Center at Zuni.

The Zuni Pueblo is one of New Mexico’s largest, covering more than 600 acres. More than 11,000 Zunis exist in and around the Pueblo, with about 80% of the families involved in some artistic endeavor. These include the creation of everything from pottery to carvings to jewelry and two-dimensional graphic art. Some families also create beautiful beaded figures, such as the one by Jeannette Dewesee, shown to the right.

The following artists and craftspeople are schedule to exhibit and/or demonstrate at the festival.

Colin Coonsis―inlay jewelry
Kenneth Epaloose―pottery
Rolanda Haloo―jewelry,
Silvester Hustitio―painting
Otto Lucio―jewelry
Claudia Peina―fetish carving,
Lynn Quam―fetish carving
Octavius and Irma Seowtewa―needlepoint jewelry
Margia Simplicio―beadwork
Noreen Simplicio―pottery
Raylan and Patty Edaakie - silver and inlay jewelry
Lorandina Sheche - fetish carvings
Todd Westika - fetish carvings

According to A:shiwi A:wan Director, Jim Enote, the Zuni Festival of Arts and Culture is “…more than an event about Zuni, it is a very public gesture, acknowledging Zuni presence and influence on the Colorado Plateau.”

Robert Breunig, director of the Museum of Northern Arizona agrees, “The Zuni culture is an integral part of the Colorado Plateau, with close cultural connections to the land and ancestral villages in southeastern Arizona and western New Mexico. The spiritual and ancestral landscape of the Zuni or A:shiwi includes the San Francisco Peaks or Sunha:kwin K'yaba:chu Yalanne in the west, Steamboat Wash in the north, Mount Taylor in the east, the Salt and Gila River Basins to the south, and of course, the Grand Canyon, the Zuni place of origin. By creating a collaborative relationship with the Zuni Tribe, MNA is able to ensure that the dialogue and cultural exchange about the Zuni people and their lifeways comes directly from the source.”

More information about the event is available at the Gallup Independent newspaper website and the website of the Museum of Northern Arizona.

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This message is brought to you as a public service in support of all tribal arts by William and Susanne Waites, proprietors of online galleries featuring Zuni carving, Zuni jewelry and Zuni pottery.