Ben Nighthorse Rock Art Jewelry
“What I do with my hands is really an extension of what the creator wills. The only person that can create is the creator.” –Ben Nighthorse
For over fifty years, Northern Cheyenne artist Ben Nighthorse has created beautiful, award winning jewelry using the highest quality precious and semi-precious stones, including diamonds, turquoise and lapis set in 18 karat gold and the finest sterling silver. Ben Nighthorse moved to Tokyo in 1960 to train for the 1964 Olympic games, where he captained the U.S. Olympic Judo Team. In Japan, his interest in metal-working grew when he studied under a Samurai sword maker. He began to develop techniques of laminating metals and jewelry designs that were heavily influenced by his time in Asian culture. This can be seen today in his world-class work.
After he moved back to the United States, he and his wife, Linda, became champion horse trainers. His love of horses, and animals in general, helped him to create new, innovative designs. American Indians often believe that a person can inherit some of an animal's virtues by wearing an image of it. That is one reason why noble animals have always played an important role in Nighthorse designs.
The “Morning Star,” a unique symbol of the Cheyenne, was the emblem of Morning Star, better known as Dull Knife, the great Cheyenne chief. The Northern Cheyenne maintain to this day a homeland in their traditional country (present-day Montana) in large part due to chief Morning Star’s courage and determination as a leader. The Northern Cheyenne granted Ben Nighthorse permission to use this enduring symbol of strength as his signature stamp which is featured on all of his jewelry creations.
To own a piece of Nighthorse, is to own a piece of history. Ben Nighthorse Jewelry is found exclusively at Sorrel Sky Gallery.
