Jolene Eustace Sterling and Gold Earrings with Coral Setting

This striking pair of earrings was made by Cochiti-Zuni artist Jolene Eustace, It is made of sterling silver, 14K gold, and coral. The silver backing was shaped to accommodate the coral which was carved into three shapes. Two small drops of gold adorn the top of each earring. The earrings are fitted with silver posts for pierced ears.

Jolene is a daughter of Ben Eustace (c.1920s-2007) of Zuni Pueblo and Felicita Eustace (1927-2016) of Cochiti Pueblo, both of whom were artists of distinction.

From Greg Schaaf's book, we quote "Jolene A. Eustace-Hanelt is respected as a master jeweler. She comes from a family of jewelers and potters. She grew up helping her parents. In a cover story for Indian Artist magazine, Jolene shared: 'I was eight when I made my first piece. I got an order to do 100 tie tacks . . .That was over 100 bucks.' She bought a 10-speed bike with the money. She added 'Then I realized I could be self-sufficient with my work as an artist . . . My work is my release. My work is my meditation. It's a way of going back to Mother Earth.'" [Schaaf 2012:207]

Jolene attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. She credits learning jewelry making from her parents and Hopi jeweler Duane Maktima. She has been actively making jewelry since the mid-1980s.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: fthis Jolene Eustace Sterling and Gold Earrings with Coral Setting is from the collection of a resident of Santa Fe

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

TAGS: Southwest Indian Jewelry, Cochiti Pueblo, Felicita Eustace, Zuni Pueblo, Ben Eustace, Christina Eustace, Jolene Eustace