Antique Vintage Sterling Silver Native Zuni Oyster Roadrunner Inlay Pin Brooch

  

We have similar Zuni and Inlay items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. Listing Description by: Angela A. Age Circa: Antique Native Zuni C. Markings: "Sterling" and unidentified maker's mark "M" in a circle on the back of the brooch , tested, and guaranteed.

Country of Origin: United States - Zuni Nation. Gram Weight: 6.1 grams. Length: 3.27 mm and 5.01 mm. Width: 4.80 mm and 4.35 mm. Color: opaque bright orange hue with white mottling throughout.

Accent Stone: Malachite and onyx. Malachite: 3.23 mm long and 3.40 mm wide; opaque light green hue with darker green striations. Onyx: 0.50 mm long; 4.49 mm and 5.41 mm wide; opaque deep black 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 roadrunner. The brooch features lovely inlaid spiny oyster, malachite, and onyx stones.

The bright orange hue of the spiny oyster contrasts beautifully with the green malachite. The brooch also features hand-hammered stamping designs that give the roadrunner geometric details on its head, neck and tail. The back of the brooch contains an old pawn pricing mark.

Completed with a pin stem and locking "c" clasp, allowing it to be worn on a variety of accessories, including hats, scarves, and jackets. 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. T he 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. Spiny Oyster is a beautiful natural stone that has a gorgeous light red to pink hue and is often substituted for natural coral in Native American jewelry. Spiny oysters are not true oysters but are more closely related to scallops. They are found primarily in the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez off the coast of Baja California. Malachite is a popular stone which has light and dark green opaque banded areas. Malachite is a result of weathering copper ores. Many beautiful specimens of malachite contain special combinations with other minerals, such as azurite, cuprite, or chrysocolla. Malachite was used in antiquity until about 1800 for green paints. The item "Antique Vintage Sterling Silver Native Zuni Oyster Roadrunner Inlay Pin Brooch" is in sale since Saturday, July 4, 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.

• Stone #2: Malachite
• Country of Origin: United States - Zuni Nation
• Modified Item: No
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Stone #3: Onyx
• Metal Purity: .925
• Main Stone: Spiny Oyster
• Metal: Sterling Silver
• Jewelry Type: Pins
• Tribal Affiliation: Zuni