Zuni Mosaic Inlay Bird Pin [SOLD]

Since prehistoric times artists at Zuni Pueblo have been known for their expert lapidary work. Their skill in cutting and shaping the smallest of stones to create the finest pieces of adornment are remarkable. The introduction of silver and other metals into their repertoire only added to the wonder of their creations.

One of the most well-known and talented lapidary artists at Zuni was Dennis Edaakie. Edaakie was a self-taught jeweler who had no formal training other than just watching family members work. In 1962, after becoming frustrated with his boring nine-to-five job, he decided to try his hand at making jewelry. It was immediately clear that he had talent. In 1964 he made his first bird, a red cardinal,  for a local trader and they asked him if he could make more birds.

Looking at his work, it is easy to see why Dennis, who worked along with his wife Nancy, became one of the great masters of Zuni mosaic inlay. With miniscule pieces of multi-colored stone Edaakie painted pictures which he set in a finely crafted frames of gold or silver. With a palette of different shades of shell, and stone he painted intricate, lifelike images of nature.

This Dennis Edaakie pin features a red robin perched on a branch of a flowering fruit tree. The artist used coral for the robin’s red breast. Black jet and different types of shell make up the bird’s body. The pin is signed Dennis E. It is a piece that was made in the 1970s.

Condition: The Zuni Mosaic Inlay Bird Pin is in very good condition. Every stone is intact and there are no significant scratches on the silver.

Provenance: The pin is from the inheritance of a daughter of the Balcomb family, owners of several art galleries of Native American art and objects in the post-WWII era until the 1970s when they closed their last gallery.

Recommended Reading: Zuni: A Village of Silversmiths by James Ostler, Marian Rodee and Milford Nahohai