HOPI “SPIDER”
STERLING SILVER
OVERLAY
11 1/2
HOPI STYLE OF JEWELRY WAS DEVELOPED SPECIFICALLY TO SEPARATE THEIR VITAL HERITAGE FROM OTHER TRIBAL JEWELRY STYLES. THE STYLE WAS DEVELOPED AFTER WWII  TO DISTINGUISH THE HOPI WAY OF DOING THINGS.
IT BEGINS WITH TWO SEPARATE SHEETS OF STERLING. ON ONE, THE DESIGN IS CUT OUT WITH A HAND BAND SAW. THAT IS THEN SWEATED TO AN UNDER PLATE UPON WHICH THE HOPI “TEXTURE” WITH SMALL DRIVERS, HAMMERING A PATTERN INTO THE GROUND. THE BACKGROUND IS THEN DARKENED AND THE UPPER PLATE IS EITHER POLISHED OR FINISHED WITH A SATIN FINISH, WHICH IS MOST POPULAR. THE NAVAJO AND OTHER TRIBES HAVE COPIED THIS TECHNIQUE, BUT NONE HAVE THE ENORMOUS PALLET OF PATTERNS AND DESIGNS UPON WHICH THE HOPI CULTURE THRIVES.
SYMBOLS OF WATER, SPIDER, KIVA STEPS…..