Zuni
Southwest
1950s
Sterling silver, turquoise, jet, mother of pearl, coral
Bracelet: total circumference 8 1/4 in (21 cm), gap 1 in (2.5 cm), width 4 3/4 in (12.1 cm), 294.20 grams. Pin: height 4 3/4 in (12.1 cm), width 3 1/4 in (8.3 cm), 132.49 grams
Provenance: Bob Nelson, Cheyenne, WY
Zuni silversmiths of the mid twentieth century were known for raised mosaic and channel inlay, and this matched set carries that work across a wide cuff and a companion drop pin. On each piece a stylized mosaic figure is assembled from cut turquoise, jet, mother of pearl and coral, set flush within silver and framed by a scalloped edge. The reverse of the cuff is stamped with bordered rectangular panels, and both pieces carry the heavy sterling weight typical of ambitious Zuni jewelry.
The two faces repeat the same geometric mosaic figure, so the cuff and pin read clearly as a made pair rather than a later grouping. The cuff spans nearly five inches across the wrist and weighs close to 300 grams, marking it as a statement piece rather than everyday wear. The pin is worked as a shaped drop in the same technique and can be worn independently of the bracelet.
Sam Poblano was born in 1920 near Zuni, New Mexico, into a family central to Zuni jewelry. He was the nephew of the Zuni artist Teddy Weahkee and the brother of the jeweler Leo Poblano. A capable jeweler in his own right, he was known to spend much of his time on the care of his horses. In 2012 he was named a Living Treasure at the Gallup Intertribal Indian Ceremonial.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Zuni
Southwest
1950s
Sterling silver, turquoise, jet, mother of pearl, coral
Bracelet: total circumference 8 1/4 in (21 cm), gap 1 in (2.5 cm), width 4 3/4 in (12.1 cm), 294.20 grams. Pin: height 4 3/4 in (12.1 cm), width 3 1/4 in (8.3 cm), 132.49 grams
Provenance: Bob Nelson, Cheyenne, WY
Zuni silversmiths of the mid twentieth century were known for raised mosaic and channel inlay, and this matched set carries that work across a wide cuff and a companion drop pin. On each piece a stylized mosaic figure is assembled from cut turquoise, jet, mother of pearl and coral, set flush within silver and framed by a scalloped edge. The reverse of the cuff is stamped with bordered rectangular panels, and both pieces carry the heavy sterling weight typical of ambitious Zuni jewelry.
The two faces repeat the same geometric mosaic figure, so the cuff and pin read clearly as a made pair rather than a later grouping. The cuff spans nearly five inches across the wrist and weighs close to 300 grams, marking it as a statement piece rather than everyday wear. The pin is worked as a shaped drop in the same technique and can be worn independently of the bracelet.
Sam Poblano was born in 1920 near Zuni, New Mexico, into a family central to Zuni jewelry. He was the nephew of the Zuni artist Teddy Weahkee and the brother of the jeweler Leo Poblano. A capable jeweler in his own right, he was known to spend much of his time on the care of his horses. In 2012 he was named a Living Treasure at the Gallup Intertribal Indian Ceremonial.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
