Verma Nequatewa is the niece of Charles Loloma, with who she apprenticed for many years.before striking out on her own and creating her own legacy. This fabulous coral butterfly is further enhanced by a piece of natural Lone Mountain turquoise and lapis lazuli. The Lapis at the top of the wings is side bezeled - meaning that the lapis is viewable on the reverse as well. 2 inches across. $9500. (TUCSON)
Verma also created this 14kt gold pendant of coral, turquoise, sugilite and opal. $3200 (TUCSON)
The Patania Family - the only family of metal smiths to have their work included in the Smithsonian Museum (in the Renwick Gallery).
listen to their story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xgcWwiixpY
Frank Patania Sr came to this country with his widowed mother in 1908, fleeing the devastation of an earthquake in Messina, Sicily, where he had been apprenticed at age 6 to a goldsmith. While in New York he contracted TB and was sent to Santa Fe in 1924 to recover. By 1927 he was well enough to open his own silversmith shop in Santa Fe (and in Tucson in 1937) with his brother Carmelo “Pat” where he forged a new design aesthetic that reverberates to this day - a unique blend of Old World metalworking and the influence of the Southwest. Over the years many American Indian jewelers have apprenticed with the Patania family.
Frank Jr (b 1932) began working full-time as a silversmith in his father’s shop in 1956. Over time he made his mark creating very modern pieces, including liturgical work – some of it monumental in size. His son Sam, the third generation, is forging into yet new territory, inspired by the work of the previous two generations but reflecting his own artistic vision. Joining them is the newest Patania apprentice: 4th generation Marco.
A 18k gold hand-wrought bracelet by Frank Patania Jr. 1/2 inch wide, measuring 5.25 inches with a 1+ inch opening. Accented with white gold drops. $2650.
#15 in an edition of 100 this Georgia cuff was made by Sam Patania following the original design of his grandfather. 1.5 inches wide and made for a medium-small wrist. $800.
Frank used a brass jewelry die from India and mounted it on one of his cast jeweler’s bronze bracelets to create this unique piece. 5.5 inches with a 1 inch opening and measure 1 inch wide. $400.
The beautiful silver box was made by Frank Patania Jr. This one dates November 8, 1968. It measures 4 inches by 3 inches and is 3/4 of an inch deep. $1875. (TUCSON)
This cuff was made in the Frank Sr’s Thunderbird workshop, probably in the 1950’s. 1.25 inches wide and made for a medium wrist SOLD
A sterling cross with a deep red Mediterranean coral set in 14 kt gold. $600.
The two bracelets in the photo at left are stainless steel and leather bracelets. The wider one at the top is 5 inches with a 1 inch opening and is 3/4 inches wide. The narrow one is 5 inches with a 1 inch opening and is 1/2 an inch wide. Each of these is $450. (Wider one has SOLD) The two in the photo at right are both stainless steel with carbon fiber. The top one measures 4.75 inches with a 1.5 inch opening and is 1/2 inch wide while the one at the bottom is 6 inches with a 1.5 inch opening and 3/4 of an inch wide. Each one is $450.(Wider one has SOLD) (ALL IN TUCSON)
The first bracelet is made from stainless steel and is a design collaboration with the beadwork artist, Jamie Okuma. 1.25 inches wide and made for a medium-large ladies wrist. 5.75 and 1.25 (TUCSON) Next is a stainless steel bracelet with laser engraving. This one is 5.75 inches with a 1.25 inch opening. (SANTA FE)
Buckles by Pat in stainless steel, each is made for a ….belt and measures….. The carbon fiber (that is a reflection, not a flaw) is SOLD while the middle buckle, set wth a piece of niobium is $750. The buckle at right is inlaid with stingray skin and is $700. (ALL IN TUCSON)
A titanium ranger buckle, made for a 1 inch belt. $2400. (TUCSON)
Work by the legendary Hopi artist Charles Loloma (1921-1991), who opened the door to amazing innovation in American Indian jewelry beginning in the early 1960s. A ceramicist by training (he and his wife, Otellie, earned a degree in ceramics from Alfred University's School for American Craftsmen in 1949) He and my father met in the mid 1950s and became lifetime friends and I spent the summer with Charles at his tiny studio outside the village of Hotvela when I was 15, but it is far more than personal friendship and regard that makes me say that Charles was one of the seminal jewelers of the second half of the 20th century.
Please note that there are counterfeits of Loloma's work out there. We provide written documentation on each piece, including the prior owner - with that person’s signature where possible.
A very early 1960s bola tie by Loloma. 2.25 inches long. $7500.Unsigned but provenance available. (TUCSON)
From the collection of a musician and record shop owner in Tucson who acquired it from Charles in the very early 1960s. Unsigned but full documentation authenticating it is available.It was hammered from behind to provide dimensionality. 3.25 by 1 1/8 inches and made for a 3/4 to 7/8 inch belt. $8500.(TUCSON)
A Loloma sandcast corn pendant, circa 196-64. It measures 4 inches in length.$6000. (TUCSON)
By the extremely talented Duane Maktima (Laguna-Hopi). The first pendant is set with chalcedony, rosarita, opal and sugilite. 1.5 inches long including the bale and just over 1 inch across at the widest point. SOLD. (SANTA FE) Next is a 14k gold pendant set with rosarita, Australian opal, boulder opal, natural blue turquoise and natural light green turquoise. 1.75 inches from the top of the baler and 7/8 inch across. $2800. (TUCSON)
