Hopid Artist
These are the web pages of Hopi and Navajo Indian artists, marketing "Authentic Hopi and Navajo Arts and Crafts". The Indians artists have long been dependent upon their arts and crafts. It is estimated over 65% (7,000) of the local Hopi residents depend on crafts for full time livelihood and some as supplemental income.
Buyer Beware of Fake and Imitation Hopi Arts and Crafts!
There are non-Hopis at work undermining the integrity of Hopi arts and crafts. The familiar maxim, " Let the Buyer Beware" is advisable when a tourist or serious collector is intending to invest in Hopi arts and crafts. Imitation and fake arts and crafts "passed off as authentic Hopi products" have defrauded unsuspecting buyers.
Trademark
"The individual hallmark or signature"
The trademark of a Hopi artists is important in building market visibility and in promoting genuine Hopi arts and crafts. The trademark of each artists is a unique symbol or signature. Under customary Hopi law, the trademark identifies the maker to be a member of the Hopi Tribe and more importantly, a specific Hopi Clan. The use of a trademark enables the artisan to maintain the integrity of his name and also denotes the quality of workmanship. The trademark is the property of the maker and protects his art or craft from copying or appropriation without consent.
Owners of an ancient cultural heritage
The Hopi are the true owners of our cultural heritage. Only the Hopi and their pueblo relatives have esoteric manifestations called Kachinas within their culture. The challenge for authentic Hopi arts and crafts is unchallengeable by non-Hopis.
Both federal and state laws provide some protection. Federal law 101-644 allows artisans to register their individual trademarks although only a few artisans may have done so.
Arizona law 44-1231states that it is unlawful for any person to .."sell or offer to sell any products represented to be authentic Indian arts and crafts unless the products are in fact authentic Indian arts and crafts… Sell or to offer to sell non-authentic Indian arts and crafts unless the non-authentic Indian arts and crafts are clearly labeled." Penalties included criminal as well as civil fines of $5,000.00 for each violation.
Kachina dolls are mass produced in factories, and by Navajos in alarming numbers!
Hopi overlay jewelry is mass produced by non-Hopis in factories by alarming numbers!