Anthony Lovato

NATIVE AMERICAN
Santo Domingo Pueblo, NM

This double cross pendant is a marvelous example of Anthony’s ability to combine simple stonework with symbolic elements in unusual ways. The double cross pendant has two meanings; one, the representation of Christianity and Jesus Christ, and the second, that of the dragonfly, with the two bars being its two sets of wings. While Carolyn was not religious, she did like cross-shaped jewelry, with a number in her collection. The particular symbology of this piece by Anthony was likely very attractive to her.

This silver bracelet was a favorite of Carolyn’s that she often wore. The tufa-cast silver has an earthy, bold texture that is unique to this method of casting, and the kernels of the surface represent corn, a sacred plant to Native Americans and to Santo Domingo Pueblo. The rutilated quartz is not a valuable stone per se, but is luxuriant and possessing of a strong depth of character. Aesthetics and meaning were the most important elements of a piece of jewelry to Carolyn.

Another Lovato piece well-loved by Carolyn, this silver ring is also tufa-cast, with a bezel-set piece of pink sugilite. Every piece by Anthony bears a cast vignette on the opposite side, in this case the inside of the ring, which also bears his signature iconography.