Zuni
American Southwest
1990s
Sterling silver, turquoise, jet, coral, shell, and mother of pearl
Pendant 5 3/8 x 2 1/8 in / 13.7 x 5.4 cm
Ring size 6
Signed
Provenance: Gloria Vry, Santa Fe, New Mexico
This Zuni set by Madeline Beyuka pairs a figural Olla Maiden pendant with a matching ring, both worked in fine multi stone channel inlay. The maiden is built up from turquoise, jet, coral, shell, and mother of pearl, shown standing in a manta and apron balancing a jar on her head, with a carved shell face and a silver body. The pendant hangs from a strand of silver bench and barrel beads, and the ring repeats the same maiden figure in miniature.
Each piece of stone and shell is cut to shape and set flush in the channel inlay Beyuka is known for, building the figure from many individually fitted pieces. The turquoise dress, jet and coral accents, and mother of pearl apron give the maiden her blocked color against the silver. The pendant and ring together form a matched figural set, a signature subject in Beyuka's work.
Made by Madeline Beyuka, a Zuni jeweler active from the early 1950s into the late 1980s, recognized as one of the pueblo's leading channel inlay silversmiths. She worked figural inlay, most often dancers and Olla Maidens, in turquoise, jet, coral, and shell, at times alongside her husband Edward Beyuka, who was known for his figural Zuni work. Her jewelry is signed, and examples have sold at auction houses including Bonhams.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Zuni
American Southwest
1990s
Sterling silver, turquoise, jet, coral, shell, and mother of pearl
Pendant 5 3/8 x 2 1/8 in / 13.7 x 5.4 cm
Ring size 6
Signed
Provenance: Gloria Vry, Santa Fe, New Mexico
This Zuni set by Madeline Beyuka pairs a figural Olla Maiden pendant with a matching ring, both worked in fine multi stone channel inlay. The maiden is built up from turquoise, jet, coral, shell, and mother of pearl, shown standing in a manta and apron balancing a jar on her head, with a carved shell face and a silver body. The pendant hangs from a strand of silver bench and barrel beads, and the ring repeats the same maiden figure in miniature.
Each piece of stone and shell is cut to shape and set flush in the channel inlay Beyuka is known for, building the figure from many individually fitted pieces. The turquoise dress, jet and coral accents, and mother of pearl apron give the maiden her blocked color against the silver. The pendant and ring together form a matched figural set, a signature subject in Beyuka's work.
Made by Madeline Beyuka, a Zuni jeweler active from the early 1950s into the late 1980s, recognized as one of the pueblo's leading channel inlay silversmiths. She worked figural inlay, most often dancers and Olla Maidens, in turquoise, jet, coral, and shell, at times alongside her husband Edward Beyuka, who was known for his figural Zuni work. Her jewelry is signed, and examples have sold at auction houses including Bonhams.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
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