For thousands of years the native people of the Americas have been making fine objects of great beauty. Historically most of these items were not viewed as art by their makers, but rather as utilitarian wares or ceremonial objects. The care in producing and the artistry in decorating these objects are undeniable, and it is no wonder that for centuries outsiders have valued and collected these items. This interest in native goods eventually led to a thriving market for the wares of Native Americans that lasts to this day. Often these wares were considered mere trinkets or curios, however over the last century there has been a slow shift in the perceived value of Native arts. Today there are stores, galleries, shows, and entire museums dedicated to Native American art, and now many Native people are viewed as serious artists, and as a result can command the prices afforded to such talent.

This change in the perception of Native art has been very beneficial to many Native Americans. Many can now make their living, or at least supplement it by selling art grounded in their history. In some instances it may be the art itself that has helped preserve some of their traditional culture.

This shift has created something else that is not as good: a thriving market, one of imitations and shortcuts. Baskets from Pakistan and Africa, jewelry from China, and other fake Native American art has flooded the market. Sometimes this has come from within as well. One culture imitating another’s crafts, manufactured items being sold as their own handmade ones. The use of inferior materials and quicker techniques has diminished the quality of some Native art. These things have had a huge negative impact on the legitimate native artist trying to make a living within their traditional cultures.

Still, purchasing a piece of native art should be a fun and exciting experience, and with a little care and information there should be no problem in finding a special piece. While imitations abound, a little bit of knowledge about what to look for, what questions to ask, and who to buy from will make it easy to find to find the right piece of authentic Native art for you.

First understand that the law is on your side. The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 is a truth in advertising law which makes it illegal to misrepresent Native American goods. By law labeling something as Native American made when it is not is illegal.

When looking at any art the first and most important thing simply is whether or not it appeals to you. If it is something that speaks to you and you feel is in your budget don’t hesitate to buy it, you may not see another one.

POTTERY

When looking at pottery, keep in mind that each culture will have its own characteristics and you can’t really compare pottery from one local with pieces from another area. Different techniques will give a different look, and the natural resources used in an area will make for a very different product at another place. Some clays are coarse and produce thick walled vessels, some are fine grained and can produce thin walled pots. It is just as hard to make a thick walled Acoma pot as it is to make a thin walled Kewa (Santo Domingo) pot, so it is only useful to compare Acoma to Acoma, and Kewa to Kewa.

Traditional pottery is hand coiled and hand painted which means that they will not be perfect, but they should be carefully made. Look at how symmetrical the shape of the vessel is and how well it sits on its base. If it is decorated the painting should be clean and even with a balanced design. If it is a polished pot the polish should be smooth and the evidence of the tool used (usually a smooth stone) should be minimal. Check the pot for hairline cracks or pitting (called spalling).

Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the artist or the person selling the pot. Ask if it is made of natural or store bought clay and paints. Was it hand coiled and polished? Was it fired traditionally or in a kiln? There is no right or wrong answer to these questions, but they can be useful tools in helping you make a decision.

JEWELRY

Native Americans have been making jewelry for thousands of years and silverwork was introduced to them in the 1850’s. There are some things to take notice of when looking at jewelry. Most of it will be made of silver so it is important to check the silver content. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure and most, but not all, silversmiths will have STERLING stamped somewhere on the back of the piece. Notice how thick the silver is, if it is too thin it might too easily bend or break. Stamp work or overlay should be cleanly done.

Look to see how carefully and securely any stones are set. There should be no movement and you should not be able to see an abundance of jewelers epoxy around the setting. Ask about the stones, are they all natural and if so where are they from? Some turquoise is stabilized, which means epoxy has been added to strengthen softer stones. Reconstituted turquoise is when real turquoise is mixed with resin and dye. It can be pretty and strong, but not as expensive as natural. Sometimes silversmiths use block turquoise, which is purely synthetic. Don’t be afraid to ask about the stones, it is ok to buy any of it as long as you know what you are paying for.

WEAVINGS

When examining weavings make sure to spread them out and check how flat they lay. Make sure the corners are squared and the edges are straight. If they curl or pucker along the edges it could be an issue. The design should be centered and woven lines should be even and straight. Colors should be uniform throughout the weaving and the inner warps should not show through. Ask where the weaving was made, and by who. Were any hand spun yarns or natural dyes used? These things can make a weaving more valuable.

Of course Native American people make many other types of art, both traditional and contemporary, but many of the same principles can be used in examining them. How carefully something was made should be evident. Look things over and ask a lot of questions if you wish. Most artist or dealers enjoy talking about their wares, and it is usually fairly easy to figure out who is being sincere and forthright. None of their answers should be a deal breaker, if you really like something and the price seems right then don’t hesitate about purchasing it, because, in the end, the only thing that truly matters is that you enjoy it.

This blog was written by Tim Price, the store manager for ASM’s museum store, Native Goods.

Editor’s Note: 200 Native American artists will be selling their work at the Arizona State Museum’s 20^th annual Southwest Indian Art Fair on February 23 and 24, 2013. This is a juried show. Come early to see the prize winning pieces and purchase some to take home!