Zuni
American Southwest
2005
Sterling silver, turquoise, shell, and assorted stones
Length 28 in / 71 cm
Owl naja 1 1/2 in / 3.8 cm
97.60 grams
Signed
Provenance: Private collection, Las Cruces, New Mexico
This Zuni necklace follows the squash blossom form but replaces each blossom with an inlaid owl figure spaced along the silver bead strand. Every owl is built up from shell, turquoise, and dark stone, with shell eyes and black pupils set into a silver body perched on small feet. The silver beads run between the owls down both sides to a naja at the center front.
The naja takes the form of a petaled crescent inlaid with turquoise and shell, framing a single central owl in the same technique. The inlay is fitted flush in the Zuni lapidary manner, each small piece of stone and shell cut to shape and set without gaps. At 28 inches and just under 98 grams, the repeated owls carry a single theme from the strand through to the pendant.
Made by Charlene Leekity, a Zuni inlay artist of the Leekity family, a well known line of Zuni jewelers working in stone and shell lapidary. She is known for figural inlay, including the owl motif seen here, alongside animal subjects such as horses and eagles. Her work is signed and set in the flush fitted inlay for which Zuni lapidaries are known.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Zuni
American Southwest
2005
Sterling silver, turquoise, shell, and assorted stones
Length 28 in / 71 cm
Owl naja 1 1/2 in / 3.8 cm
97.60 grams
Signed
Provenance: Private collection, Las Cruces, New Mexico
This Zuni necklace follows the squash blossom form but replaces each blossom with an inlaid owl figure spaced along the silver bead strand. Every owl is built up from shell, turquoise, and dark stone, with shell eyes and black pupils set into a silver body perched on small feet. The silver beads run between the owls down both sides to a naja at the center front.
The naja takes the form of a petaled crescent inlaid with turquoise and shell, framing a single central owl in the same technique. The inlay is fitted flush in the Zuni lapidary manner, each small piece of stone and shell cut to shape and set without gaps. At 28 inches and just under 98 grams, the repeated owls carry a single theme from the strand through to the pendant.
Made by Charlene Leekity, a Zuni inlay artist of the Leekity family, a well known line of Zuni jewelers working in stone and shell lapidary. She is known for figural inlay, including the owl motif seen here, alongside animal subjects such as horses and eagles. Her work is signed and set in the flush fitted inlay for which Zuni lapidaries are known.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
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