Kewa Pueblo 5-strand Coral and Turquoise Necklace [SOLD]

This five-strand necklace is comprised of tubular-shaped natural coral with small turquoise beads interspersed throughout. The coral is beautiful in its polished lustrous shape. Artisans at Kewa Pueblo are known for their beautiful bead necklaces.  This piece was made during the 1960s or 70s when high quality coral was still easy to find.

Coral was introduced to the Southwest by the Spaniards but was not used extensively until the late 1930s, when traders imported it to Zuni Pueblo. Most coral used in the Southwest came from the Mediterranean.

Coral is calcified skeletons of sea creatures that grow in formations resembling the branches of a tree. Among Southwest Indians, esteem for coral is second only to that for turquoise. Coral reefs have become endangered, so the harvesting of coral in most areas has become illegal. It is very difficult to find such fine quality coral today.  With global warming being a fact, coral reefs may be devastated.

The turquoise beads are interspersed about every inch between the coral beads.  Rolled turquoise beads are made by tightly ringing rough cuts of turquoise and repeatedly rolling them against a flat sandstone slab until the edges are removed and the beads are round.  The five strands of beads each is strung on cotton thread, and the group then tied together by weaving the individual strings together to form the end that fits behind the neck.

Condition: The necklace is in excellent condition

Provenance: from a gentleman in Santa Fe

Recommended Reading: Southwestern Indian Jewelry by Dexter Cirillo