The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 48, July 1944 - April, 1945 Page: 601
617 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 24 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Book Reviews
from the daily life of the people, as are the higher arts of the
white man, but blend into the routine of popular life. The
sense of the material presented is that the introduction of
silversmithing into a culture already mature created no new,
major social relationships.
The author believes that "the most interesting thing about
Navajo and Pueblo silver is not the aesthetic object separated
from its setting and viewed abstractly in a museum case, nor
yet the making of the object, but the sociological significance
of the art form in Navajo and Pueblo culture." Agreement
with this statement is difficult, since the establishment of the
craft caused few unusual social changes but was a great con-
tribution to beauty in craftsmanship.
Almost the only subject not considered is the ultimate future
of these smiths as producers in a modern world. Economics
students who disagree with projects to encourage handicraft
industries will raise this point. Few groups devoted to handi-
crafts can ever reach the same standard of living enjoyed by
industrialized Americans who multiply their output by machine
power. The book's statistics state that the industrious crafts-
men earn approximately one thousand dollars a year and often
have a short productive period as a result of failing sight.
Federal agents and schools are encouraging more and better
silversmithing, teaching many boys the art. If these Indians
can not be fully assimilated, it is better to offer them this
useful and artistic employment. If eventual assimilation is
possible, however, they are only being encouraged to pursue
a trade that will never lead to a high standard of living.
This book was intended to be both of value to the scholar
and of interest to the layman. Scholarly principles are adhered
to consistently. The writing is good, although the desire for
complete coverage made organization difficult in two chapters.
Popular appeal abounds in the narratives of tribal affairs and
smithing operations, in picturesque Indian conversations, and
in the photographs. This study should, in fact, give the reader
pleasure for a long time while he himself practices as an
amateur connoisseur of Southwestern Indian jewelry.
SGT. ROBERT L. ANDERSON
Historical Section, Air Transport Command601
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 48, July 1944 - April, 1945, periodical, 1945; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth146055/m1/669/?rotate=270: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.