Zuni Pueblo Silver and Blue Turquoise Dangle Earrings [SOLD]

The Artistry of Zuni Pueblo: A Study of Miniature Turquoise Earrings

This exquisite pair of earrings, a testament to Zuni Pueblo craftsmanship, features eight petite turquoise cabochons. One cabochon adorns the post, while the remaining seven are delicately arranged on a fan-shaped pendant. The pendant, suspended from the post by three slender wire loops, swings freely, adding a dynamic element to the design.

Each turquoise cabochon is meticulously shaped into a dome, save for one which boasts a unique teardrop form. This variation in shape adds a touch of intrigue to the overall design. The Zuni lapidary artist who fashioned these turquoise cabochons demonstrated a masterful ability to work on a miniature scale, a testament to their skill and precision.

The visible silverwork comprises twisted wire and silver droplets, adding a touch of elegance to the earrings. The cluster of turquoise cabochons at the base of the pendulum resembles droplets of water accumulating in a cloud, poised to fall as rain. This imagery is particularly poignant given the value of water in the arid landscapes of western New Mexico, home to the Zuni Pueblo nation. Thus, these earrings are not just a piece of jewelry, but a symbol of the land and culture from which they originate.

To quote the Pueblo of Zuni website: One way the Zuni people express these cultural traditions is through their art: in painting, pottery, jewelry, and fetish carving, for example. These things have significant meaning, and, to the Zuni, serve to help unite the past with the present. So, on the one hand, Zuni art is a material record of the past.

It is such a beautiful concept when relating everything associated with life as having a meaning and purpose rather than visualizing an object only as functional, decorative, or wearable. Each part of a Pueblo person's life is tied to its meaning to the people. There is reason and purpose to everything.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: these Zuni Pueblo Silver and Blue Turquoise Dangle Earrings are from a client of Adobe Gallery

Recommended Reading: Southwest Silver Jewelry: The First Century by Paula A. Baxter

TAGS: Zuni Pueblo, Southwest Indian Jewelry