Zuni American Eagle Silver and Inlay Bolo Tie [SOLD]

Dale Edaakie's Masterpiece: The Great Seal of the United States in Wearable Art

This is an extraordinary presentation in wearable art of the Great Seal of the United States. It was made by Zuni artist Dale Edaakie in 2013. It was awarded a First Price blue ribbon at the Gallup Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup, New Mexico in 2013.

The eagle was cut out from silver and the elaborate difficult work of etching the inlay sections of jet in the wings and tail feathers, and the olive branch in the right claw and the arrow shafts in the left claw were begun. The head of the eagle and the legs and claws were finished with mother of pearl. The shield was formed from turquoise, mother of pearl, and coral inlaid stone-to-stone. In one claw is an olive branch, a symbol of peace, and in the other claw are thirteen arrows, a symbol of war.

The eagle was duplicated in silver and in smaller scale as an attachment to the bolo silver tips.

"Like his parents, Dennis and Nancy Edaakie, Dale Edaakie is a master of the art of inlay. However, he has distinguished himself by focusing on representations of animals as opposed to the birds for which his parents have become famous. His work is characterized by a high degree of naturalistic detail, achieved by etching of the shell or stone inlay. Dale was the recipient of the prestigious Southwest Association for Indian Art fellowship in 2002, which is awarded annually to young Native American artists in recognition of their achievement and promise."

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Zuni American Eagle Silver and Inlay Bolo Tie is from the collection of a gentleman from California

Reference: American Indian Jewelry II: A - L, 1,800 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf

TAGS: Southwest Indian Jewelry, Zuni Pueblo, Dennis and Nancy Edaakie, Dale Edaakie