Zuni Inlay Flower Pin-Pendant [SOLD]

Understanding and honoring the surrounding natural environment is an important aspect of Native American culture. One way Southwestern tribes honor nature is by depicting it in their artwork, especially jewelry. Zuni Pueblo jewelry—channel inlay, petit point and mosaic inlay lend themselves to portraying the beauty of the reservation landscape. Zuni lapidary artists use small pieces of shell, turquoise and stone as a painter uses pigments to create images. Especially popular jewelry motifs from Zuni Pueblo are the plants and animals which are responsible for sustaining life.

This pin/pendant is a small tribute to the flowers that grace the high desert. Artist Jim Paywa placed three small blue flowers made of turquoise on a jet canvas. Tiny channels of silver make up the stems. The flowers are in a frame of small round pieces of turquoise. Although the piece is unsigned, the work is consistent with that of Jim Paywa whose work is included in the book Zuni Jewelry by Theda Bassman.  

Condition: The Zuni Inlay Flower Pin-Pendant is in excellent condition

Provenance: from the collection of a daughter of the Balcomb family who owned art galleries in New Mexico and Arizona.

Recommended Reading: Zuni Jewelry by Theda Bassman