because
of its cost. After all the preliminary polishing has been done with
sandstone, sand or ashes, the finishing is done with emery-paper. For
the blanching of the silver the hydrous sulphate of ammonia, termed
almogen, is used, the silver being bathed in a solution of this, with
the addition of a little salt. The blow-pipe is usually made by beating
out a piece of thick brass wire into a long flat strip, which is then
bent into the requisite form.
Two
of the best of these silversmiths were engaged to work for a short time
near Fort Wingate. As has been noted, their forges are commonly set
very low down, and the position of the workers was evidently an
uncomfortable one. Nevertheless, they showed a great degree of
persistence, working sometimes as many as from twelve to even
fifteen hours in a day. When paid by the piece, artisans could earn
about two dollars a day on an average. The method of chasing was
excessively primitive. While one worker held the object firmly oil an
anvil, the other applied to it part of the shank of a file that had
previously been rounded, and struck this with smart taps of a hammer.
Finer figures were engraved with the sharpened part of a file, to which
a peculiar zigzag, forward motion was imparted by the hand. One fault
that could be charged against these silversmiths was a lack of economy
as to the precious material they used, no care being taken to gather up
and utilize the amount lost in filing and polishing, as well as by
oxidation in the forge, so that the net loss was estimated at fourteen
per cent.
While
the art of the work produced can scarcely be termed finished, when
judged by very high standards, still the silver ornaments executed by
the Navajos possess at least the charm inherent in individual work, as
contrasted with the more harmonious and finished produc-
