Horace Iule Turquoise and Silver Zuni Cross Necklace [SOLD]

The Zuni word for turquoise can be translated as “sky stone.”  The turquoise pieces selected for this necklace are all very vibrantly blue, like a robin’s egg.  The turquoise is carefully wrapped with serrated edged silver and soldered to the substantial cross base.  

The silver cross, carefully stamped with suns, rays, and lines acts as the host to the turquoise and frames the gemstones to highlight their elegance.

A chain of silver beads decreases in size as it fits nicely into conical silver tubes at either end, at which point it meets with a silver clasp.  

Artist Horace Iule learned silversmithing from his father and eventually became an expert of the casting method. He was one of the first from Zuni Pueblo to create the Knifewing God in silver. Horace began working as a silversmith in the 1930s after returning from school in Phoenix where he had studied blacksmithing.

Horace Iule (1901-1978) pronounced Ai-ú-le, was a third-generation silversmith. His grandfather, a man known as Sneezing Man, was identified by John Adair in his book Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths as one of the first silversmiths at Zuni Pueblo.  Horace Iule also taught jewelry making at Zuni Day School, teaching and influencing a whole generation of Zuni smiths. Horace taught his son Wilbur Iule who carries on the tradition.

Condition: excellent condition and includes some lovely patina to the beads which is expected for a necklace of this vintage.

Provenance: this Horace Iule Turquoise and Silver Zuni Cross Necklace is from a private collection

Recommended Reading: The Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths by John Adair

Relative Links: Zuni Pueblo, Wilbur Iule, Southwest Indian Jewelry, Horace Iule, Zuni Pueblo Jeweler