Kewa (Santo Domingo) Silver Mosaic Shell Inlay Pin / Pendant Mary Coriz Lovato

  

This beautiful pin / pendant was created by award winning Kewa (Santo Domingo) artist Mary Coriz Lovato. Mary is very well known for her beautiful mosaic shell inlay which combine contemporary and traditional styles.

This piece has been beautifully crafted of black onyx and coral on an abalone shell backing with sterling silver. It measures 2 1/4" tall by 2" across. This piece is in excellent condition and is signed with Mary's McL hallmark and dated 2006. Mary Coriz Lovato was born to the Corn Clan in 1936. She is the third generation from the pueblo of Santa Domingo.

Mary is known for her unique mosaic inlay, shell work, cast, and stamp-work jewelry. Her forte is inlaid shell earrings and pendants which blend contemporary and traditional styles. For Mary maintaining the traditional style in her work is very important. My mother and mostly my father were my teachers.

I was brought up very traditional, she recalls. She says, we have kept traditional jewelry going here [in the Santo Domingo Pueblo] because it is worn for our dances.

Although Mary reintroduced stone-in-shell mosaics during the 1950s, Santo Domingans have crafted turquoise and shell heishi beads for at least a thousand years. I came up with the shell mosaic work myself. I started in the late 50s, in black, white and orange. Mary then began to add more contemporary touches, such as putting in silver to her work and adding more colors.

The slivers of turquoise, pipestone, serpentine, coral, and mother of pearl, reflect the colors of the suns glow. Making jewelry has become a part of Mary Lovatos soul. [While making a piece] Im praying for everybody-not for myself, but for the whole universe. I talk to my jewelry when I make it.

I dont just make them to make them. After its done, I say, Whoever it may go to, may they have strength, may they have a good, happy life. So that is the way I do my work. Mary has won many awards and her mosaic shell work is extremely popular.

Mary Lovato's work is so phenomenal that many say it has become a standard by which shell inlaid jewelry is measures. We guarantee all of our Native American Indian items to be AUTHENTIC American Indian traditional arts.

The item "Kewa (Santo Domingo) Silver Mosaic Shell Inlay Pin / Pendant Mary Coriz Lovato" is in sale since Sunday, March 25, 2018. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\Native American\ US\1935-Now\Jewelry". The seller is "gwhitetrading" and is located in Sedona, Arizona. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Provenance: Arizona Estate
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Tribal Affiliation: Kewa (Santo Domingo)
• Artisan: Mary Coris Lovato
• Size: 2 1/4" tall by 2" across
• Materials: Sterling Silver, Coral, Black Onyx, Abalone