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Hopi Sterling Silver Overlay I.D. Bracelet, Riley Polyquaptewa

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Hopi Sterling Silver Overlay I.D. Bracelet, Riley Polyquaptewa

$95.00

Elegant Hopi sterling silver overlay ID bracelet, created by Hopi silversmith Riley Polyquaptewa. Spider? design. Authentic Hopi jewelry from Hopi Arts & Crafts Silvercraft Co-op Guild. Length: 7-1/4 inches end to end. Item#1473

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  *** SOLD ***

Beautiful new satin finished sterling silver overlay ID bracelet, created by Hopi artist Riley Polyquaptewa. The overlay work is clean, bold and elegant. The bracelet has a soft brushed finish and measures 7-1/4 inches from end-to-end. The bracelet can be adjusted to fit a smaller size, depending upon where you position the hook in the links. Weighs 9.9 grams.

Brand new and in perfect condition! Certificate of Authenticity and gift box included. Hallmarked by the artist. Riley is a member of the Bear clan and has been creating beautiful silver overlay jewelry since 1972.

About the Hopi Arts & Crafts Silvercraft Co-op Guild: I believe the Guild is now closed. I don't have any further information.

In 1947, after World War II, returning Hopi servicemen were trained at a silversmithing school founded under the G.I. bill.
The late Paul Saufkie, Sr. was the technical instructor and the late Fred Kobotie, noted Hopi artist and designer, taught design. Although many techniques of making silver were used, the overlay style gradually emerged as the dominate style. This simple, unique, elegant jewelry is now considered essentially the Hopi style of jewelry.

In 1949, they established a guild with its own hallmark. The Guild's purpose was to produce, purchase, promote, sell handcrafts and jewelry and to operate related activities. The Hopi Arts and Crafts Co-op Guild now has its own building on Second Mesa, Arizona, next to the Hopi Cultural Center & Museum. Any craftsman, potter, basketmaker, weaver or silversmith can have his or her work displayed and sold there. Half the building is devoted to work benches and supplies for the silversmiths.

Silver Overlay is a process of soldering one piece of silver, from which a design has been cut, over another piece of silver. The top layer is a handmade, hand cut overlay created from a sheet of sterling that is then bonded to the base layer of sterling. The base layer background is usually oxidized, which turns the silver surface black, and is often scratched or stamped. The oxidation brings out a contrast between the two pieces and makes the individual designs more visible.