Territorial Indian Arts

Letters from The Hopi House state this necklace won the Blue Ribbon at Gallup Ceremonial in 1941, purchased by Frank Spencer of the Hopi House, then sold to Fred Wilson who had the Indian store in Phoenix. Our collector's grandfather purchased it in 1942, displayed in his Indian room. Twelve Rainbow men are 7/8" and formed with 6 bezels, standing on silver bead and 4 petal blossom. Blue Gem turquoise, red abalone shell, jet and white shell are delicately cut and set. The single Rainbow Man naja is 2 1/4" tall and wide plus the domed half beads. Note the arcs of turquoise and abalone are one single piece. Incredibly fine work by a Zuni Master of the 20th Century, David Tsikewa. Documentation included.

Three piece silver jewelry set by Fred Peshlakai, 20th Century Navajo jewelry Master. Sterling silver is hand cut, filed and cold chiseled, set with lustrous Blue Gem turquoise. Heavy silver cuff bracelet has split band with appliqued sides, elaborate cold chiseled designs. 1 3/4" tall tapering to 3/4", interior of the silver is 5 3/4" plus 1" gap, cold chiseled signature. Matching ring is size 6 3/4, stands 1 3/8" tall, unsigned. Matching brooch is 2 1/4" wide by 1 3/8" tall, signed. Acquired from a Sun City collector who purchased it new, circa 1940s.

Sterling silver evening bag created by Kenneth Begay at The White Hogan for Betty Bimson, wife of Walter Bimson, founder of the Valley National Bank of Arizona. This is a custom work of art by a Master of the 20th Century of Native American Jewelry, Kenneth Begay, 1913-1977. Fabricated from sheet silver, the basket weave design created with cold chisel and engraver, the swivel handle has deep tracks for which he was famous. The hinged lid is topped with a flower created with 8 layers of silver. Stands on a round platform stamped KB White Hogan and Sterling. Circa 1960, lined with black velvet, 5 3/4 W" by 5" H by 2 3/4" thick.

14K gold with stacked stones, statement ring by The 20th Century Master, Charles Loloma. Gold hand cut bezel holds the 7 lapis, 4 turquoise, 2 coral and 2 gold bars. Loloma, the Hopi jewelry innovator, created this style in the mid 1980s. The sculptural ring is 2" long and stands 7/8" above the bezel, finger size 8.

Silver with stacked stones, cuff bracelet by The 20th Century Master, Charles Loloma. Sterling silver band holds the wood, stone and bone which stand 1 1/2". Loloma, the Hopi jewelry innovator, created this style in the mid 1970s. Interior of the silver is 5 1/2" plus the 1" gap. Exhibited in "Jewels of the Southwest" at Museum of Indian arts and Culture, summer of 2002.