Three pieces by Quaid Shorty, son of famed jeweler Perry Shorty, Like his father, most of his jewelry is made from coin silver, hand hammered out in the old technique. The first bracelet, in an 1880s style, is 3/8 inch wide and made for a medium wrist. $1200. Next is another old style bracelet, this one set with natural turquoise from the #8 Mine in Nevada. 7/8 inch wide and made for a medium-large wrist, $1275. The ring is set with natural turquoise from Nevada and is a size 7 1/2. One inch long. $650.
Signed Marie + Julian. The cloud and bird motifs were painted by Julian (also known as Pocano 1879–1943)
5 by 6.5 inches. $5500
The vessel is the one shown in the photo at left. The lady who purchased it waited through the firing to select two pieces that she bought. The other is the plate at the top of the page. Photographing highly reflective polished blackware pottery is a huge challenge. Trust me: the piece is far more beautiful than my photo would have you believe. Signed Marie + Julian so we know it was made prior to 1943. 4.5 by 6.5 inches $6000.
Pieces that were a collaboration between Maria and her son Popovi Da are highly sought after. This beautifully executed vase is one such piece. Made April of 1963 as inscribed, it is 6.5 by 6.5 inches.. $4800.
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.
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. (SANTA FE)
A sterling cross with a deep red Mediterranean coral set in 14 kt gold. $600. (SANTA FE)
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. $2400. (SANTA FE)
#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. (SANTA FE)
Left to right: The first cuff is a laser cut titanium with an A-I-R cloud motif. This one is a size 6 and $650. (SANTA FE) Next is a lightning and cloud motif laser engraved onto stainless steel. Size 6.5 and $750. (TUCSON) Third in the row is a titanium and zirconium damascus bracelet, size 6.5 and $850. (TUCSON) Last in the row is a stainless steel with a timing belt inlaid, a size 6 and $450. (SANTA FE)
All sizes are indicated by Pat on the interior of his pieces.
In the two photos at left are two beautifully executed Zirconium bracelets. They are both a size 5.5, with openings of 1.25 inches. Each $800. The third one in the row is a stainless steel bracelet with carbon fiber inlay. Size 6.5 and $450. Last but not least is a 1/4" square Zirconium bracelet with laser work. Size 5.5 and $850. (ALL in SANTA FE)
From left to right: a stainless steel bracelet with stingray leather, size 5.25 with a 1 inch opening. $450. Next is another stainless steel cuff, this one has a piece of shark leather with a laser cut star motif. Size 5.5 and SOLD. The last one in the row is a stainless steel cuff with shark leather. A size 5 with a 1.25 inch opening. (All in SANTA FE)
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. Next is a stainless steel bracelet with laser engraving. This one is 5.75 inches with a 1.25 inch opening. (Both in TUCSON)
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.
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)
