Before Raymond Sequaptewa became a contemporary Hopi Silversmith, using stones and unusual castings, different metals and unique designs, he made traditional overlay Hopi jewelry. Sort of…
While his current work is compared to some of the finest contemporary Native jewelers, this overlay piece shows that, even staying within the traditional style, he could look outside the boundaries.
The pendant is beautifully designed with the silver overlay carefully set upon a second curved piece of silver that creates the feel of a second dimension. The overlay piece looks like it’s floating above the backing.
I love traditional Hopi overlay work and I also admire the incredibly advanced jewelers working with exotic stones and metals other than silver. But there is something special about how this piece moves to the contemporary without leaving the traditional behind.
Sequaptewa is not only an accomplished jeweler but was also a healer in the Hopi tradition.
