Channel Inlay Zuni Snake Dancer Pin [SOLD]

Three-dimensional stone carving at Zuni was originally limited to making fetishes of small animals. A few of the more prominent stonecutters began developing the style to include wearable jewelry such as bracelets, pins, and rings.

Leo Poblano devoted his whole time to stonecutting, which he mastered by the 1930s. His friendship with Zuni trader C. G. Wallace put him in position for getting some of the finest turquoise and other materials with which to make his masterpieces.

Wallace then would assign the stone pieces created by Poblano to a silversmith, usually a Navajo, who would then set the stones in silver box tops, bookends, desk furnishings, finger rings, pendants, brooches, bolas, or other adornments.

This Snake Dancer pin is testimony to the extraordinary talents of Poblano in cutting and arranging the stones to affect the most detailed and elaborate human figure. It is in excellent condition.