Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-13
10Th CENTURY GIRL
s
The Present Craze for Bar
barrie Metals. {
RED MEN ST Es
INDIAN SETTLEMENT RANSACK-
ED FOR ODDITIES.
Fobs, Charms and Bracelets Of All
Sorts and De-
signs.


With the present craze for barbaric
metals. the American woman has approprt-
ated all the symbolism, color, handiwork
and material of the aboriginal Eyes are
fairly dazzled by the primary colors and de-
signs in the Jackets, satchels, bags, card
cases, fobs, chains and bracelets to be seen
every way we turn.
The craze for beadwork is mild compared
to that of metals. Golf sticks and other
trite designs in metal are DID, the rage be-
ing for the heavy bracelet, the tiara, COMB,
waist buttons, ETC., made by the Indians.
Mexico is so near, just over the border
the routes so easily traVersed, the mining
and excavating passion so intense, that
travelling is luxury, and the touist, well
informed through picturesque official ltera-
-ture, digs, delves and finds precious stones
such as opals turquoise, perodates ana
rubies, and the ever lovely matrix in subtle
shades of green.
AS consequence, old silver rings are
ferreted out, literally begged, borrowed or
stolen, when the Shink of coin is not sufh-
GENTLY hypnotic, and milady returns to
dazzle her friends with her possessions.
The turquoise and unusual natural stones
which are set within the rings, pins and
buckles are really the talismans of the
savage as is the coral of the Latin races
for the evil eye. There is but one serious
consideration, if one were supersttious IN
wearing jewels, gems or stones, ponshed or
unpublished and that is that the good effect
of the turquoise be not overbalanced by the
bad effect of some other stone which is sup
posed to counterfeit through evil the goou
acquired. The fair bargains are not trou-
bling themselves very much over this now
ever.
Little Oddities.
There is a charm in being outre or I'M
usual in taste, and the girl of today Is at
fecting it. Swastika crosses, Aztec calen-
dar designs, serpent designs, scroll, circles,
triangles and teeth and claws of wild beasts
are common enough for all to realize the
part they play in aboriginal circles. The
Moki Indians, the Navajos and other tribes
have presented interesting study along
these lines in all directions, their cooking
utensils, their blankets, decoration OF te-
pees, etc. From their primitive ideas the
merchant now reproduces in dull metals,
pottery or woolens corresponding articles
which serve as decoration or ornament
within the home or upon the person.
Therefore, when milady adorns her
charming self she seeks appropriate ma
terial and harmony of color to accent the
barbaric ornaments which embellish her
costume. She avoids that which disfigures
and affects that which enriches and beauti-
fies She is affable and gracious she is
conscious that she is original or individual.
very naturally, IllldQy Wnen traVoUnS
abroad earnestly seeks the homes of the
peasants for family trinkets of silver or
unique metals in particular, in order that
she may adorn herself in cosmopolitan
America according to her liking. Even in
the United States the foreign settlements
are invaded for such trinkets, which are
usually held, however, in a tenacious grasp;
but judicious cajolery ofttimes proves a
tempting bait when a crisp note of Uncle
Sans is rendered in payment.
Made While You Wait.
Bracelets fashioned from the silver dol
lars given by tourists when visiting Alaska
or Mexico possess a double satisfaction
when the process of carving with a single
tool is visible while you watt Fobs of
metal and beadwork, collars and chains Of
beads. bone and colored silks, held together
with bits of silver uniquely chased in de-
sign are the rage.
The collector in her travels has a keen
eye for the artistic. When in the west she
pounces upon the bits of handsome metal
which ornament the harness Of the broncho
or lean pony of the Mexican Indian. These
come in various shapes. Some of them are
circular. These make handsome cloak
buckles when clasps are added by civil
led jeweler. All are artistically decorated
with the designs of the Swastika cross and
other fanciful carvings. In the center Of
each one is turquoise, which looks beauti-
full when set in the silver.
Dealers In Indian goods IN all the large
cities discovered some time ago that these
'conchos" are just the thing for bead belts
when clasp and buckle are soldered on
the under side, and since they have become
SO popular they may be purchased In nearly
all cities. However, they will never become
common beca use they are extensive nor
will they ever go entirely out of fashion.
The Fair Barbarian.
sfai har rho,
she has an opportunity to pick up these
things in her travels, she does SO at whole
sale. She often pays fabulous prices for
genuine antiques of military origin and
returns home laden with her spoils for belt
buckles, cloak fasteners. hair ornaments,
dog collars, rings or bracelets Thrice for
tunate is she If she can watch the silver
smith deftly hammer the snail design on
her bracelet and belt, and see him insert
the opal perodate, turquoise or Arizona
ruby.
If she desires a Swasuka cross on her
ring or neckl ce, she signifies this fact by
pantomime, whereupon the Indian proceeds
to carry out her orders. He whips out his
jackknife, crude affa T, and with his ham,
mer of stone, shaped like an egg, and about
the size of mans FIST, he skiIlfully "en-
graves the quaint cross which represents
the four quarters of the earth. When his
task is completed, he says to his patroneSs
winds from the four corners of the earth
blow gently upon you forever"
Perhaps he hammers and ehisels the cross
of dondee design adopted by the ancient
Franciscan monks, representing the same
thought. Necklaces of silver beads, with
six tiny crosses, at regular intervals, hung
upon Them and further ornamented with
crescent pendant were worn by the high
priests, while the chefs necklace was
adorned with pendant only.
One New York woman, who is noted for
her excellent taste. has belt made from
copper cents and other coins, graduated in
size. held together by tiny loops of wire.
1t is worn with a copper color broadcloth.
Upon her fingers are rare designs in rings,
green settings being the vogue. Her collar
is miniature replica of her belt, while her
bronze or copper colored hair boasts long
Plus with huge disks in appropriate design
to the rest of this outfit =
Incidentals Of Dress. Is
The vogue of gold and silver shows little
Gil. Ma