Frank Patania Sr. (1899-1964) was born in Sicily and immigrated to the United States at an early age. He began working as a jeweler at age 6, first apprenticing in Italy, and later with a goldsmith in New York. He moved out to the West after contracting tuberculosis and settled in Santa Fe.Frank had always worked in gold, but was profoundly inspired by Native American jewelry. In 1927, he opened the Thunderbird Shop in Santa Fe, and employed local Native American silversmiths.

Item# E32

Material: Sterling Silver

Artist: Frank Patenia