In the first year I started collecting, I consulted a Navajo gallery dealer about an overriding concern: I was not a collector with a lot of money. She understood my dilemma and questioned me about my passion for Southwestern Indian jewelry. After some discussion, she suggested I collect Indian rings. These items were not as expensive as other jewelry and could be picked up for reasonable prices. She also encouraged me to buy rings from young makers who might, in time, become notable artists.
As I studied the history of Indian design, I realized a significant change had occurred in the 1960s. Young Native artists had a chance to study together at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. They also took in other museums, and absorbed mainstream art history as part of their learning experience. I found this ring at Brimfield Market in Massachusetts in the early 1990s; the dealer assured me it was Indian-made. I’m sure he was correct, and I knew (after working there for five years in the 1980s) the very painting gallery room at the Museum of Modern Art where the ring’s maker drew his or her inspiration.
Join us for a book signing of Southwestern Indian Rings!
When: Thursday, August 16, 5 pm.
Where: Collected Works Bookstore, 202 Galisteo Street, Santa Fe.
We’d love to see you there!
We will be taking in the festivities that lead up to the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market on March 3-4.
Prior to that, I will be signing copies of Southwestern Indian Rings during the Scottsdale Art Walk on March 1. I am dividing my time between two locations:
Old Territorial Indian Arts at 7077 E Main St, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Waddell Trading Company at 7144 East Main Street, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
These two shops are among my favorite destinations in Arizona, and they represent two aspects of the fine Indian art to be found in Scottsdale:
Old Territorial is the oldest running Indian arts shop in the Valley of the Sun. Alston and Deborah Neal offer vintage and contemporary Indian arts that reflect the sturdiness of traditional Native design.
Waddell Trading Company contains dazzling works in rich materials by some of the very best contemporary artists working today. You will see pieces that offer a virtuoso twist on the traditional or avant-garde items that foretell the directions Native style will take.
Southwestern Indian Rings
by Paula A. Baxter
Photography by Barry Katzen
Visit Amazon for its discounted price
With a fascinating variety of American Indian rings from the southwestern United States shown in more than 360 color photos, Southwestern Indian Rings
provides a design history of these rings, beginning with pre-contact artifacts and continuing through to contemporary artistic innovations.
The text surveys key developments in Native American ring design; materials and methods of construction; definitions for historical and vintage rings; master innovators; and the transition from craft to wearable art since 1980.
Shortly after the Civil War, Native American artisans began making silver rings set with turquoise, coral, jet, mother-of-pearl, and colored shell, adding lapis, malachite, onyx, and petrified wood over the decades. More recently, artisans began utilizing gold and such non-traditional settings as opals and diamonds, among others.
Works by Navajo and Pueblo artists are featured, although Apache, Northern Cheyenne, and Sonoran Desert Native jewelers are also included. A guide to valuation issues and resources is offered for collectors.
978-0-7643-3875-5
hardcover $34.99 (but Amazon is giving a discount)
8 1/2 x 11
160 pages
361 color photos
Hi Paula,
We inherited a whole bunch of Native American jewelry (several hundred pieces in total) from my parents who sold some at a shop in the seventies. I’ve attached a couple of representative pics. About a third to a quarter of them have hallmarks. We would like to sell some of it, but we’re not really sure what we have. Can you help us find someone in the St. Louis area who can give us an idea as to value?
Thanks for your help,
Richard Newton
Southwestern Souvenirs responds:
Dear Richard:
I found some individuals for you who will be able to lead you to the right appraiser. From ATADA (Antique Tribal Arts Dealers Association), I located Joseph Zeller, who is in East Dundee, Illinois, the closest location I could find to St. Louis. He is part of River Trading Post, which operates three stores: in Illinois, Santa Fe, NM, and Scottsdale, AZ. I know this outfit and they are very reputable; he can help you locate an appraiser, or someone at River may be trained to do this. River Trading Post, tel (847) 426-6901 and e-mail: trader@rivertradingpost.com
Closer to you geographically are the following members of the IACA (Indian Arts and Crafts Association), and I have heard of the Native American Trading Company. They, too, will acquaint you with someone who can help.
Native American Trading Co.
Michael O’Cheltree
115 N Main Street
Hannibal, MO 63401-3536
573.248.3451, Fax: 573. 221.4054
Email: natamtrd@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.nativeamericantrading.com
Silver City Trading Post
Richard Sellers, Barb Schnarr
724 S. Main St
St. Charles, MO 63301
636.255.8885, Fax: 636.255.8885
Email: silver_city@sbcglobal.net
The pieces I saw in your photo were quite nice; they look like they range from the 1940s to early 1980s. All of the individuals above will be familiar with this jewelry. The vintage jewelry market has seen a rise in interest lately, but be aware that the pre-1940s pieces in good condition will fetch higher prices. For example, your 1970s items will resell for about $120-$200 roughly, depending on materials and condition. Members of ATADA and IACA are bound by guarantees of ethical practices, which is important when dealing with American Indian jewelry — which has its own black market of fakes and misrepresentation. Good luck! I rather fancied some of those Zuni inlay rings, myself!
Paula
