Pair Zuni Pueblo Beaded Dolls [SOLD]

“The unique and delightful bead figures from the Pueblo of Zuni in southwest New Mexico are charming examples of forms that have kept up with the times. From their beginnings, in the years between the two World Wars, these little figures came perilously close to extinction when White buyers found them ‘too corny.’ But some beaders at Zuni never gave up and now these charmers are enjoying a whole new era of popularity and an unequalled eruption of creativity at home in Zuni!” (Salkeld).

This pair of beaded dolls is by far the most elaborate and exquisite I have ever seen. The Zuni olla maid wears a traditional pueblo manta with four lovely turquoise buttons down her right side, a squash blossom, apron, shawl, waist sash, and moccasins—all beaded to perfection. The Zuni man is decked out in leggings, shirt, vest, necklace, concha belt, feather headdress, loincloth and braids.

The beading was applied over wooden carved figures. The beading technique is known as peyote stitch.

Provenance: From the estate of a former medical doctor with the Indian Health Service on the Navajo Reservation. She was a resident of Albuquerque during her retirement years. She passed away in February 2006 at the age of 95 years.