Antique Vintage 925 Sterling Silver Native Zuni Turquoise Grasshopper Pin Brooch

  

We have similar Zuni and Turquoise items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. Listing Description by: Angela A.

Age Circa: Antique Native Zuni C. Markings: Unidentified maker's mark "AZ7BA" on the back of the brooch, tested, and guaranteed. Country of Origin: United States - Zuni Nation. Gram Weight: 13.6 grams. Main Stone: Sleeping Beauty Turquoise. Color: opaque light blue hue. 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. Stone Cuts: Carved and polished inlaid cabochon.

Pin/Brooch Style: Brooch, lapel pin, hat pin, scarf pin, tie pin. Closure Type: Pin stem with a locking "c" clasp. Convertible to Necklace Pendant: If desired, your local jeweler can add a bale to this piece so it can be worn as a pendant. Handmade during the 1960s by a talented Zuni artisan.

925 sterling silver crafted in the motif of a grasshopper. The brooch features two beautiful blue inlaid Sleeping Beauty Turquoise stones that comprise the grasshopper's eyes. The grasshopper displays realistic details indicative of skilled metalworking, including three-dimensional wings and curving thin legs and antenna. Completed with a pin stem with a locking "c" clasp, allowing it to be worn on a variety of accessories, including hats, scarves, and lapels, among many others.

The brooch displays some tarnish which gives it a lovely antique quality. 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.

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. 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. Sleeping Beauty Turquoise is known throughout the world for its gorgeous solid robins egg blue hue. This Arizona mine is regarded as one the most important turquoise mines in the world, and it has a very rich history; being mined by the Anasazi people over a 1,000 years ago and being traded in ancient times between North, Central, and South American civilizations.

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise was re-discovered by gold and silver miners in the early 1900s and since then, this beautifully bright blue turquoise has become iconic in the gem industry. The Sleeping Beauty Mine closed in 2012, making this highly desired turquoise hard to find.

The item "Antique Vintage 925 Sterling Silver Native Zuni Turquoise Grasshopper Pin Brooch" is in sale since Sunday, May 3, 2020. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Ethnic, Regional & Tribal\Native American\Pins, Brooches". The seller is "abeautifultimeco" and is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Country of Origin: United States - Zuni Nation
• Modified Item: No
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Metal Purity: .

  925

• Main Stone: Turquoise
• Metal: Sterling Silver
• Jewelry Type: Pins
• Tribal Affiliation: Zuni