Hopi overlay jewelry is crafted by the Hopi tribe of Native Americans. The Hopi overlay jewelry is painstakingly designed by combining layers of silver with intricate scrollwork carefully carved in. This beautiful technique is used to craft bracelets, necklaces, rings, and earrings.
History of Hopi Overlay Jewelry
The Hopi Native American tribe learned the art of making silver jewelry from the Mexican silversmiths and the Navajo Native American tribe in the late 1870’s. It was not until the 1940’s that they developed the complex and beautiful overlay design known today as Hopi overlay jewelry.
How Hopi Overlay Jewelry is Made
Hopi overlay jewelry is made by first tracing a design on a sheet of silver and carefully cutting it out by hand. A solid sheet is soldered to the bottom of the cut-out sheet to create an overlay design. All the cut-out areas are beaten into the bottom sheet with a hammer and a small punch to add texture. After being trimmed into its desired shape and size, each piece of Hopi overlay jewelry is hammered and contoured into its final shape. The jewelry is then blackened, which darkens the overlay design beneath and causes it to stand out. The finished piece of Hopi overlay jewelry is buffed to a satin finish or a high gloss shine.
Hopi Overlay Jewelry Designs and Influences
The designs of Hopi overlay jewelry are varied, ranging from the very simple to the very intricate. Some of the designs you will find on Hopi overlay jewelry include scenes of nature, animals and birds or fish. Insects or scorpions are common, as are trees and floral designs. There are also swirls, circles, and geometric shapes. Hopi overlay jewelry is influenced by petroglyphs, ancient artwork carved in rock to tell stories and record images. The carvings were pulled and picked away, leaving the appearance of positive/negative imagery that is seen in Hopi overlay jewelry today.
Hopi Overlay Jewelry vs Other Native American Jewelry Styles
One important feature that separates other Native American silver from others, such as Navajo silver jewelry is the lack of stones. Most types of Native American jewelry are embellished with turquoise, coral, or jet while the beauty of Hopi overlay jewelry relies solely on the overlay design. That fact alone puts Hopi overlay jewelry in a uniquely beautiful class of its own.