Walk in Beauty: A Celebration of Native American Art: September 2015

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Knifewing

Knifewing, also Knife Wing, is a half man, half eagle Zuni spirit with razor sharp feathers made of flint. He is the ultimate warrior.

Anthropologist Frank Hamilton Cushing, who lived with the Zunis from 1879-1884 described Knifewing this way:

“This curious god is the hero of hundreds of folklore tales, the tutelary deity of several societies of Zuni. He is represented as possessing a human form, furnished with flint knife-feathered pinions, and tail. His dress consists of the conventional terraced cap (representative of his dwelling place among the clouds). His weapons are the Great Flint-Knife of War, the Bow of the Skies (the Rainbow), and the Arrow of Lightning. His guardians or warriors are the Great Mountain Lion of the North and that of the upper regions. He was doubtless the original War God of the Zunis.”

Horace Iule (also known for his crosses) is credited with creating the first Knifewing design in the late 1920s, cut and filed out of wrought silver. Afterwards, other Zuni, Navajo and Pueblo began producing Knifewing designs. The Knifewing became one of the first designs that the Zuni inlaid with stones.

Friday, September 11, 2015

Raymond Sequaptewa: Bracelet

Raymond Sequaptewa

Here is a bracelet by Raymond Sequaptewa, whose work ranks among the greatest contemporary artists and resides in the best museums and galleries.

This piece features a theme based on antelope horn but which also evokes Avanyu, the great water serpent which is credited with saving the Zuni tribe in ancient tales. The coloration is brilliant with a rich dark blue turquoise and a dark red coral offset by abalone shell, heishi "eyes," and some gold as well as a bit of brass. This is a piece that fills the heart and soul. It is so powerful and fabulous.

Raymond Sequaptewa is a medicine man, healer and visionary. His jewelry is dramatically one-of-a-kind, totally original in character. Surely it can never be confused with anyone else’s work. For Raymond, creating jewelry goes beyond artistry; his jewelry is prayers, thoughts to make life better. His work is quite imaginative even magical. Healing is a significant theme although it isn’t always just about healing. Sometimes, his work depicts things he sees in nature or human nature. There is a strong spiritual, even mystical quality pervading everything he does.

Charles Loloma was Raymond Sequaptewa's mentor and teacher. His deep, artful, Hopi jewelry style is certainly reminiscent of old-time Hopi greats like Charles Loloma and Preston Monongye who shared their vision of the world rather then conform to the accepted norm of the period. Like Monongye and Loloma, Sequaptewa takes Southwest Jewelry in a direction all his own, and is impressively unique. Raymond Seqaptewa's visions and his dreams appear in his art. As a result, Raymond Sequaptewa jewelry is a felt experience as much as it is visual.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Preston Monongye Mudhead Pin/Pendant

Preston Monongye

This is a sterling silver pendant and brooch by the renowned artist, Preston Monongye (1927-1987). He was adopted by the Monongye Hopi family and won multiple awards for his tufa cast style and creative designs. This piece features a "mudhead" dancing figure -- a lively piece. It measures 2 5/8-inches x 2-inches and weighs 35.7 grams.