Description
Wallie Sekayumptewa (1917-2003) Hopi Reed Clan Silver overlay snake bracelet<br>1.5" gap, fits up to 6 7/8" wrist (including gap) 1" wide, 38.6 grams. This is<br>an older bracelet circa mid 20th century. There is not etching in the<br>background, which some of the early artist did not do.<br><br>Wallie Sekayumptewa (1917-2003) Reed Clan<br>Wallie produced jewelry from 1948 to 1967, when he ceased working due to<br>impaired eyesight, he was an early innovator in silver overlay technology at the<br>Hopi Guild in the late 1940s. The Hopi Arts & Crafts Co-op Guild was formed in<br>1947, after World War II, when returning Hopi servicemen were trained at a<br>silversmithing school founded under the G.I. bill. The late Paul Saufkie, Sr.<br>was the technical instructor and the late Fred Kabotie, noted Hopi artist and<br>designer, taught design. Although many techniques of silver work were used, the<br>overlay style gradually emerged as the dominate style. This simple, unique,<br>elegant jewelry is now considered essentially the Hopi style of jewelry.<br><br>Sekayumptewa originally made jewelry with turquoise but switched to the overlay<br>technique when the Hopi Arts & Crafts Co-op Guild was established (1947).<br><br>All precious metals are tested and guaranteed, any Native American jewelry<br>referred to as Silver or Sterling is guaranteed to be a minimum of 90% (coin)<br>silver and possibly higher content. Most cuff bracelets are shown photographed<br>on a 6" woman's wrist and will include a photo showing the inside circumference<br>where the metal tip meets the number on the tape measure.
