Monthly Archives: February 2013

3 posts

25 February 2013; Navajo Silver Hammering

We discussed the tufa stone and sandcasting types of molding techniques the Navajo used for their silversmithing, but some of the work that is produced is too thin to be efficiently molded. So how did they make some of the thin detail work? This was done by hammering out coins! […]

18 February 2013; White Bear (Kocha Honau) Kachina

The figure featured here a tihu, or what is commonly call a Kachina Doll. Kachinas originate out of the Pubelo tribes of the Southwest and each one represents a different spirit in the world; from clouds to bears and from clowns to mothers. Even though most will call it a […]

11 February 2013; Wampum on the Outer Banks?

n response to our invitation for suggestions and questions for Museum Monday features, we were delighted that Becky Rollinson asked if wampum was used as currency by the tribes on the Outer Banks. The word “Wampum” actually comes from the Narragansett (from Rhode Island) and literally means ‘white shell beads.’ […]