Hopi Silver Overlay Bracelets by Berna and Anderson Koinva

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.

The early bracelets of Paul Saufkie were domed in shape. But with the coming of
jewelry supply store sheet silver (commercially manufactured) most Hopi silver
bracelets became flat... no longer domed. Anderson and Berna Koinva are among
the few Hopi silversmiths that continue to hand hammer and dome their bracelets.

I find a domed bracelet an elegant plus... more comfortable too.

Koinva bracelets are made as they were in the 1930's and 1940's... a 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

Reflections are unavoidable in the photographs. The surfaces of the top silver
layer are highly polished and are free from any imperfections.