Anderson and Berna Koinva Hopi Overlay Silver Jewelry

Anderson and Berna Koinva

Hopi Overlay Silver Cuff Bracelets

Making Hopi silver jewelry has been part of Berna and Anderson Koinva life since they
were children. Berna's father was Bernard Dawahoya, whose professional silver smith
career began in the 1950's. Bernard was an instrumental part of Hopi Craft
who were very well know for precise and fine quality jewelry.

Anderson Koinva's grandfather was Paul Saufkie. It was Paul Saufkie along with
Fred Kaboutie who created the Hopi Silver Overlay style of jewelry.

Prior to the late 1930's, overlay jewelry did not exist in the Southwest. It was created
in order to set Hopi jewelry apart from Navajo jewelry which looked very similar.
Now, overlay jewelry is widespread among Southwest silversmiths of all tribes,
including Navajo. However, Hopi Overlay jewelry still retains a very
different and distinctive look.

Hopi overlay incorporates symbols and patterns particular to the Hopi culture.
Also, Hopi silver smiths will precisely incise or carve the bottom layer of silver
a difficult and time consuming process.

The early bracelets of Paul Saufkie were domed in shape. But with the coming of
store bought sheet silver most Hopi silver bracelets became flat... no longer domed.
Anderson and Berna Koinva are among the few Hopi silversmiths that continue
that traditional form. Their bracelets remain as they were originally made
in the 1930's and 1940's... a much more difficult
and time consuming process.

Sikyatala at his workbench
Sikyatala, Yellow Light as in the yellow glow of Sunrise and Sunset...
the glow of yellow flowers in a field. It was Sikyatala who taught the first
two Hopi silversmiths. Those wishing to know more about Hopi silver jewelry
read Hopi Silver, Margaret Nickelson Wright and John Adair's,
Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths