Vintage Native American Sterling Turquoise - Zuni Tribe
Vintage Native American Sterling Turquoise - Zuni Tribe
Zuni Turquoise and Sterling Silver Pin and Pendant by Murry & Arlene Tsattie. Needlework design. New Mexico tribal artist, 1970s vacation souvenir. Signed on back. The gorgeous patina highlights the turquoise and silver weaving pattern - but could be cleaned up and shined so it appears whiter or more “bright” silver if so desired. Originally created as a pin, the design was adapted to lay better when worn as a necklace (soldering point in the center still visible).
1.25" Diameter
Sourced from Wikipedia:
Zuni also make fetishes and necklaces for the purpose of rituals and trade, and more recently for sale to collectors.
The Zuni are known for their fine lapidary work. Zuni jewelers set hand-cut turquoise and other stones in silver.[17] Today jewelry-making thrives as an art form among the Zuni. Many Zuni have become master stone-cutters. Techniques used include mosaic and channel inlay to create intricate designs and unique patterns.
Two specialities of Zuni jewelers are needlepoint and petit point. In making needlepoint, small, slightly oval-shaped stones with pointed ends are set in silver bezels, close to one another and side by side to create a pattern. The technique is normally used with turquoise, sometimes with coral and occasionally with other stones in creating necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings. Petit point is made in the same fashion as needlepoint, except that one end of each stone is pointed, and the other end is rounded.[citation needed]
