J1678 Tufa Pendant

Sterling silver pendant with a spider design by Navajo silversmith Darryl Begay. The 1" x 1 1/4" tufa cast pendant has a spider design in the center.

Tufa casting is a technique of pouring molten silver into a tufa stone mold and letting it harden into a given form.  The mold is only used once; therefore each item is an original piece.

Darryl believes there is a difference between Indian art and Native art where Indian art is romanticized. Native art is closer to where we are today and how we express ourselves as Native artists. He says, “I want collectors to know that there’s a huge difference between the two.”