Jan Loco Hammered Silver Pin titled “The Messenger”

This sterling silver bird pin, titled "The Messenger," is a beautiful example of the jewelry designed by Warm Springs Apache artist Jan Loco (b. 1949-), showcasing her distinctive, hand-forged, hand-hammered finish. The piece is typical of Loco's singular style, which is defined by its textured surface and organic form.

Loco is renowned for her unique method of creating jewelry using no power tools. She employed only heavy-duty shears to cut and fashion the silver into the desired shape. The characteristic texture was then achieved by meticulously hammering the piece with a specially selected rock. This labor-intensive process was a deliberate choice, reflecting her commitment to honoring her ancestry by utilizing natural elements and tools rather than modern machinery.

The pin is clearly marked on the verso with the artist's signature J. Loco and the title, The Messenger.

Jan Loco began making jewelry in 1988, a career born out of a profound personal discovery. She only learned of her Warm Springs Apache heritage from her adoptive parents as an adult. This revelation sparked her deep interest in Apache symbolism and legend. She discovered she was the great-granddaughter of Chief Loco, one of the last Apache chiefs, who was imprisoned by the U.S. government in Florida in 1886.

Her work is directly inspired by the stories and beliefs of her ancestors, incorporating designs that reflect the heavens, Apache legends, and the natural elements — plants and animals — of the Apache homeland.

Jan Loco no longer produces jewelry. She moved away from New Mexico some years ago, and her current whereabouts are publicly unknown, making her earlier works highly sought after.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Jan Loco Hammered Silver Pin titled "The Messenger" 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