How did the Navajo learn silversmithing?
While it is thought that the Navajo borrowed the styles of the naja, concha and metal covered bridles from the Plains Indians and early Spanish conquistadores, they learned the techniques of silversmithing from the Spanish and Mexican silverworkers. Early Techniques: Early Indian silversmiths followed the same process that the Mexican blacksmiths used to produce ironwork. It is not known exactly when the Navajo began to work silver but most scholars place the time around 1850. A Mexican silversmith named Nakai Tsosi taught the craft to Atsidi Sani, the first Navajo to learn silversmithing. Tools and silver were scarce in early Northern New Mexico. Therefore, these first Indian silversmiths (mostly men) hammered shapes out of silver primarily using melted down coins. They cut the shapes with a cold chisel, shaped them with a file and decorated them with a file, stamps and occasional rocker-engraving. The year 1868 marks the beginning of what we call the first phase (or classic style) of
