Ambrose Roanhorse, Silver Horse Head Stall, Navajo, Circa 1950s

Navajo silversmith didn't want to continue the non-traditional styles of Indian jewelry that was popular during the 1970s. He wasn't teaching his students to fill their work with crossing arrows, tee pees or snakes. Instead he took them back to the early days of the craft, to the simplicity of the lines. That influenced a generation of great silversmiths, like Kenneth Begay. What better style of art than a horse stall to have in a collection of Navajo art. This would have been the influences for Ambrose Roanhorse to return to the traditional styles. William Roanhorse brought this work of silver art to the Trading Post after having it in his collection for over three decades.