Apache Hand Hammered Sterling Silver Spider Woman Cross Pin

This sterling silver pin, featuring the Spider Woman cross, exemplifies the signature style of celebrated Warm Springs Apache jeweler, Jan Loco (b. 1949-). Her work is instantly recognizable by its heavily forged and hand-hammered finishes. The unique textured surface of the silver is a distinctive hallmark of Loco's artistry. She developed a highly laborious method of creating jewelry using no power tools. Loco utilized only heavy-duty shears to cut and shape her sterling silver pieces. She then achieved the desired rugged texture by hammering the metal with a specially selected rock. This deliberate choice to rely solely on natural tools and physical labor reflects her deep commitment to honoring her ancestry and incorporating the materials of nature into her craft.

The Spider Woman cross design has become an accepted trademark of Loco's work, symbolizing a figure of immense importance in Native mythology, often associated with creation and teaching.

Inscription: The pin is inscribed on the verso with the artist's signature: J. Loco.

Jan Loco began making jewelry in 1988, following a profound personal discovery that shaped her artistic career. Loco was adopted at a young age and only learned of her Warm Springs Apache ancestry as an adult. This discovery revealed her connection to history, specifically that she is the great-granddaughter of Chief Loco, one of the last Apache chiefs, who was imprisoned by the U.S. government in Florida in 1886.

This newfound heritage fueled a deep interest in Apache symbolism and legend. She reached out to the renowned sculptor and painter Allan Houser to learn more about her people's history. Her jewelry is directly inspired by the stories of her ancestors, incorporating meaningful designs that reflect the heavens, Apache legends, and the plants and animals of the traditional Apache homeland.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Apache Hand Hammered Sterling Silver Spider Woman Cross Pin is from the collection of a family from Santa Fe who purchased it directly from the artist around the year 2000.

Recommended Reading: Indian Jewelry of the American Southwest by Sarah Peabody and William Turnbaugh

TAGS: Southwest Indian Jewelry, Apache, Jan Loco