circa 2008

By Hopi artist Joe Josytewa, Snow Clan, Second Mesa

This Hopi Sterling Silver overlay portrays a beautiful, dramatic eagle dancer and a 1 1/2 inch by 1 inch cabochon of high grade Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, from the famed Arizona Sleeping Beauty Mine that closed in 2012. The pendant itself features a bold hexagonal shape and deep shadow-box style relief framing the Eagle Dancer.  The Eagle Dancer carries prayers up to the Divine Spirit.  Surrounding this figure are the Spiral (representing the four stages of life: birth, life, death, and rebirth), the Steps to Heaven (ascension to the Divine Spirit), and the Feather (prosperity, peace, and friendship).  The total length of the hanging pendant with the bale is 3 1/2 inches.