Vintage Sterling Silver Native Zuni Inlay Sheyka Turquoise 2 Pin Brooch Pendant

  
We have similar Native Zuni items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. Age Circa: Vintage Native Zuni. Markings: SHEYKA signature, Tested, and Guaranteed. Country of Origin: United States, Zuni Nation.

Main Stone: Mother of Pearl. Main Stone Measurements/Color: Inlaid; Iridescent white hue. Accent Stone: Turquoise, Onyx, and Coral. Accent Stone Measurements/Color: Inlaid; Bright blue, Solid black and Red-orange.

Stone Treatment: The stone(s) appear to be untreated, but we are not certified gemologists. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester. Item Measurements: The pendant measures 1.3" long and 2.0" wide. Closure/Clasp Type: Pin Stem with closing "C" Clasp and attached bale.

Notable Features: This necklace pendant was handmade with Zuni craftsmanship and design. 925 sterling silver and multiple stone inlay, this pin brooch pendant was handcrafted by a skilled Zuni silversmith in the American Southwest. The artisan would have hand-hammered the sterling silver, carved the stones and every aspect of the piece would have been handmade. The pendant is in the shape of a rabbit, with Mother of Pearl, turquoise, onyx, and coral. Each of these beautiful stone cuts has been inlaid so the MOP and onyx create the rabbit's body with colorful accents from the turquoise and coral.

The Mother of pearl has an iridescent white hue while the onyx is solid black. The turquoise has a bright blue hue while the coral is red-orange. These gorgeous stones are enhanced by the lines of sterling silver throughout the body. The shiny tone of the silver perfectly complements the stones, drawing attention to their vivid hue.

The body of the piece is sterling silver and has been finished off with a pin stem with closing C clasp, along with a standard bale. The inclusion of both closures means this piece can be worn as a pin brooch or necklace pendant, adding value. An exquisite example of Zuni jewelry, this Native pendant would make a valuable addition to any antique jewelry collection or make a wonderful gift.

Don't miss your chance to preserve this amazing piece of American history. This listing is for the item only. This beautiful piece was made by a very talented Native American silversmith. It features handcrafted silversmith work throughout. Antique Native American jewelry is very rare to find.

This is due to these pieces being made for reservation and personal use before the tourist trade became popular. Very few pieces were made and even less survived to today.

Zuni jewelry is very distinct from other Native American tribes; it most notably features gorgeous inlay designs, as well as petit point and needlepoint stonework. These highly detailed techniques, combined with exceptional metal work, makes the Zuni tribe one of the best-known jewelry making tribes in the world. The Zuni Nation is well known for their stone inlay work, mosaic-like images depicting religious and cultural motifs created from materials that were readily available. Their modern work is well known for its bold stone colors; often turquoise and coral are used. It is rare for their pieces to be signed, as the Zuni People believe artwork belongs to the entire community. The concept of Pawn, Old Pawn, and Dead Pawn Native American Jewelry came to be in the 1800s. When a loan wasnt repaid, the item became known as either Old Pawn or Dead Pawn.

Turquoise is found all over the world and has been a popular semi-precious stone used in jewelry and art for thousands of years by many different cultures; from prehistoric times to the present. Turquoise comes in many beautiful color variations; from the popular bright solid sky-blue hues to dark blue hues with dark spiderwebbing throughout, as well as aqua, teal, and many green varieties, and even some rare white with dark spiderwebbing. Mother of Pearl is a beautiful type of organic mollusk shell lining that is made up of nacre, the same substance that coats pearls. It is a strong, iridescent material that is well suited to decorative arts, and has been used in art, jewelry and even architecture for thousands of years.

Mother of Pearl is highly prized for its distinct, multi-colored pearlescent glow. Onyx is a chalcedony quartz that is mined in Brazil, India, California, and Uruguay.

It usually has a fine texture and black color; however, some onyx also displays colored bands or ribbons against a black or brown background. Red onyx is quite rare and desirable, and is also known as sardonyx. Onyx that has a deep green shade is known as Brazilian green onyx, and is very rare; it became a popular stone for sculpture and jewelry in the 1920s and 1930s. The word onyx comes from the Greek word which can be translated as nail of a finger or claw. In Greco-Roman myth, the goddess of beauty, Aphrodite, lay sleeping when Eros cut her fingernails and left the clippings scattered on the ground.

Because no part of a heavenly body can die, the gods turned them into stone which later became known as onyx. Red Coral is a highly prized stone by Native American cultures and has long been used by artisans in the Southwest. Spanish traders introduced coral to the Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and other tribes, and it quickly became a sign and symbol of wealth and status in many different Native American cultures. It varies in color from deep red to orange, with red being the preferred choice of Native American jewelry makers.

The item "Vintage Sterling Silver Native Zuni Inlay Sheyka Turquoise 2 Pin Brooch Pendant" is in sale since Sunday, January 13, 2019. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Ethnic, Regional & Tribal\Native American\Necklaces & Pendants". The seller is "abeautifultimeco" and is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Tribal Affiliation: Zuni
• Metal: Sterling Silver
• Jewelry Type: Pendants
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Country of Origin: United States, Navajo Nation
• Modified Item: No
• Main Stone: Turquoise
• Metal Purity: .925
• Ethnic Origin: Zuni
• Artisan: Porfilio Sheyka
• Stone #2: Mother of Pearl
• Stone #3: Onyx
• Stone #4: Coral