Navajo Silversmiths Second Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1880-1881, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1883, pages 167-178

The book offers a vivid portrait of the Navajo people’s long‑standing relationship with silver, tracing how the craft may have arisen long before European contact and how trade goods later refined their techniques. It explores the blend of tradition and adaptation, noting the impact of fine files and emery‑paper on recent generations of smiths. Readers gain insight into the cultural pride that surrounds even the simplest of ornaments, from buttons to bracelets.

Through detailed descriptions of a typical Navajo workshop, the work reveals how these artisans fashion forges, bellows, and molds from modest materials like mud, wood and repurposed boards. The author contrasts the portable, ground‑level forges of the Navajo with the more permanent setups of neighboring Pueblo craftsmen, highlighting the ingenuity required to produce intricate pieces such as tobacco cases and beaded belts. The narrative emphasizes the surprising quality of the finished work despite the rudimentary tools.

Accompanied by clear illustrations of tools, molds, and finished silver objects, the book serves as both a visual guide and a respectful ethnographic study. It follows the author’s close observations of a working silversmith, offering listeners a tangible sense of the sounds, smells, and steady rhythm of the forge. This blend of scholarly detail and on‑the‑ground experience makes the craft come alive for anyone curious about Native American artistry.