Ruth Leon recommends… Navaho Jeweller – Jesse Monongya
Ruth Leon recommendsNavaho Jeweller – Jesse Monongya
I have always loved Native American jewellery. Nowhere else is the use of semi-precious stones and metals put to more innovative or inspiring use. My friend Laura is lucky enough to have one of these priceless pieces, a cuff of silver, coral and turquoise, made by one of the great master jewellers and silversmiths, Jesse Monongya.
Monongya is a member of the Navaho/Hopi tribe in New Mexico and here is a splendid short film about him, his inspirations, his origins and, most importantly, his work.
The preferred English spelling is “Navajo”.
There is no Navajo/Hopi tribe. In fact, historically they were enemies. The Hopi reservation (or just Hopi) is completely surrounded by the Navajo Nation, which actually is in three states: Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.
The jewelry made by the Navajo artisans can be spectacular as is the landscape in the area. The Cotswolds it ain’t.
Yet another wonderful PBS film.