NAVAJO
In spoon collecting we have two types of
Navajo spoons.
First we have the spoons that were made by Navajo indians
for the tourist trade. Second we have spoons made in a
generic indian style by silver manufacturers which were also
catering to the tourist trade.
The symbols found on Navajo spoons are not necessarily related
to the Navajo way of life, but instead were symbols that the tourists
expected to see on Navajo spoons, thus creating a salable product.
The Navajo's did not make silver spoons for their own use.
Navajo indians typically learned their silver making skills from
Mexican silversmiths and then they passed the skills onto later
generations. Eventually indian schools established by the Federal
Government to teach the Navajo's occupational skills also taught
silvermaking skills.
The best book on this subject is "Navajo Spoons" by Cindra Kline,
Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
First we have the spoons that were made by Navajo indians
for the tourist trade. Second we have spoons made in a
generic indian style by silver manufacturers which were also
catering to the tourist trade.
The symbols found on Navajo spoons are not necessarily related
to the Navajo way of life, but instead were symbols that the tourists
expected to see on Navajo spoons, thus creating a salable product.
The Navajo's did not make silver spoons for their own use.
Navajo indians typically learned their silver making skills from
Mexican silversmiths and then they passed the skills onto later
generations. Eventually indian schools established by the Federal
Government to teach the Navajo's occupational skills also taught
silvermaking skills.
The best book on this subject is "Navajo Spoons" by Cindra Kline,
Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
These are typical demi sized Navajo
made spoons
These three spoons are typical Navajo made spoons featuring a profile
These two Navajo made spoons feature the popular 'sun' design
Typical spoons made by established American silver companies and sold as Indian spoons to tourists.
NOTE: The Swastika
The swastika is a very ancient symbol of good luck. It was used in both the Anglo world and the Navajo indians also used it, but they called it the 'rolling logs'. All of these spoons were made long before Hitler came to power in Germany and made this a disgusting symbol to Americans.
This is an example of a Navajo made 'rolling log' spoon
It has absolutely nothing to do with Nazi Germany
The snake is somewhat sacred to the Navajo's and is not often depicted on spoons
These two spoons are typical tea sized Navajo made products
Interesting caddy spoon showing a more modern Navajo symbol - -probably hand made by a local artisan and sold through one of the modern indian arts stores.
Many other examples of Navajo spoons are found elsewhere in this museum
Visit the Navajo gem spoon exhibit
Return to exhibit index
These three spoons are typical Navajo made spoons featuring a profile
These two Navajo made spoons feature the popular 'sun' design
Typical spoons made by established American silver companies and sold as Indian spoons to tourists.
NOTE: The Swastika
The swastika is a very ancient symbol of good luck. It was used in both the Anglo world and the Navajo indians also used it, but they called it the 'rolling logs'. All of these spoons were made long before Hitler came to power in Germany and made this a disgusting symbol to Americans.
This is an example of a Navajo made 'rolling log' spoon
It has absolutely nothing to do with Nazi Germany
The snake is somewhat sacred to the Navajo's and is not often depicted on spoons
These two spoons are typical tea sized Navajo made products
Interesting caddy spoon showing a more modern Navajo symbol - -probably hand made by a local artisan and sold through one of the modern indian arts stores.
Many other examples of Navajo spoons are found elsewhere in this museum
Visit the Navajo gem spoon exhibit
Return to exhibit index