Attributed to Bernard Dawahoya Gorget Overlay Necklace

Elements influencing jeweler's attribution:

1)  style of fabrication

2)  background treatment

3)  unique scroll with rounded tip

4)  bird face eye treatment

Hand-made chain can be lengthened.

(1935-2010) Bernard Dawahoya (Masqueva, Little Sun) of the Snow clan created jewelry as early at the 1950's.

This Hopi silversmith was taught by Washington Talayumptewa and Sidney Sekakuku, his uncles. He also took classes at the Hopi Silvercraft Cooperative Guild.

Dawahoya won his first 1st place ribbon in 1971.  In 1998 he was designated an Arizona Living Treasure.  He was known for these decorative elements:  Hopi Snake Dancer, Crow Mother, Mudheads, Kokopelli, eagles, roadrunners, corn plants as well as a man in the maze. 

Dawahoya's work is included in the permanent collections of the Peabody Museum at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.