Julian Lovato – Santo Domingo Pueblo
Julian Lovato was born in 1925 at Santo Domingo Pueblo in New Mexico to a family of traditional bead makers. His father and grandfather worked with turquoise, coral and shell to make necklaces for ceremonial use and as trade goods to sell to other pueblos and tribes in the southwest. Julian got his start as a silver and gold smith working as an apprentice of Italian jeweler Frank Patina who had opened his famous Thunderbird shop in 1948. He worked with Joseph Quintana from Cochiti Pueblo, another famous jeweler who also pioneered modern Native American jewelry. The style developed and influenced by Patina was a clean, elegant and unusual look designed to envelope and raise fine gem grade turquoise and coral to a high and elegant standard. Today, Julian’s jewelry is cherished and collected as one of the founders of modern American Indian art. He ranks with Mark Chee, Charles Loloma, Joseph Quintana, Kenneth Begay and Preston Monongye as historical figures in Native American jewelry.
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Julian Lovato is one of the great pioneers of modern Native American jewelry. He started his career in the 1940s working at Frank Patania's famous design shop in Santa Fe. This marvelous example of his creative innovative style was created in the late 1990s. The hand made chain for the necklace is his signature loop design, complex and beautifully simple. Ten gem grade natural Lone Mountain turquoise cabochons from the artist's private collection are set in hand made bezels on the heavy chain of the piece. The links are attached to a striking Bisbee turquoise gem that is then connected to a hand made pendant shaped in a floral leaf design. The pendant is made from thick heavy gauge sterling silver as well adding a nice weight and comfortable feel when worn at the neckline. Five outstanding Lone Mountain cabochons are set in the pendant in a unique pattern for effect. The finished necklace is a masterpiece, rare and highly collectible. Examples of Julian's work are seldom seen today and it is an event in itself.
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Julian Lavato is one of the founders of modern Native American jewelry. He ranks with Mark Chee, Charles Loloma, Kenneth Begay and Preston Monongye as one of the finest jewelers of the 1960 and 1970's revival of hand made jewelry as fine art. To find any of his pieces available for sale is rare indeed as most are held in major collections. To find a magnificent necklace is an event in itself. This exceptional piece is made from a substantial heavy gauge and exhibits a gorgeous double pendant attached to an adjustable hand made link chain unique to the artist. Both the upper and lower pendant sections are set with exquisite deep blue gem grade natural Bisbee turquoise with classic vibrant reddish-brown and lavender matrix. Each of the largest specimens are encircled with Julian's signature sunburst design with lines that radiate out towards the smooth outer border. A unique clasp connects the upper and lower sections of the pendant. Five perfectly matched Bisbee turquoise gems fan from the bottom of the piece in perfect proportion to the large cabochon above. The finished necklace is a masterpiece of innovation and a world class collectible.
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