Miniature Sterling Silver "Peeling Away to the Core" Seedpot by Kathy "Elk Woman" Whitman (Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara)

A dragonfly is perched on the lip of this inspiring sterling silver seed pot, entitled "Peeling Away to the Core," by Kathy Whitman.  According to Kathy, "The dragonfly is resting on the piece to represent the sacred water being.  The peeling away is about getting to the core of our being, to respect, love and have reverence for all of life, and to nuture our gardens."

This stunning piece is a wonderful example of different silversmithing techniques that Kathy enjoys.  She made the pot by soldering the top and bottom halves together and added the raised lip at the tiny opening in the top. The collage of free form, shiny silver shapes was overlayed and soldered to the underlying textured background.  This texture was created with the reticulation technique -- sprinkling silver particles onto a silver base that has been heated enough for them to melt onto it, yet cool enough that they retain their shape. The bottom of the pot was decorated using the same techniques, while the wings of the dragonfly were textured with incised lines. Several beads inside of the pot, representing seeds, make a lovely tinkling sound when it is gently swirled.  The combination of Kathy's techniques adds dimension and life to her work.

A noted sculptor, clothing designer and jeweler, Kathy Whitman was given the name "Elk Woman" at a Sun Dance Ceremony in South Dakota in 1977.  The elk, an animal with great endurance and grace, is associated with love, and Kathy says that, "I try to capture that great healing power of love in all my work."

Width 1 1/2", height including dragonfly 7/8"