Zuni Pueblo Elaborate Silver and Turquoise Dangle Earrings [SOLD]

These Zuni Pueblo silver and turquoise earrings are equipped with screw back attachments, an indication that they were probably made before World War II.  The screw attachment is attached to a facing that is a flower arrangement of round and tear-drop turquoise cabs.  From this is suspended a two-part silver wire foundation with small turquoise cabs.  The inner wire element swings freely from the outer one and both swing freely from the ear attachment.

In the decade between 1925 and 1935, commercial interest in Southwest Indian Jewelry greatly increased.  Partially responsible was the Fred Harvey Company and its large advertising campaigns. Additionally, traders opened more outlets in the Southwest and expanded their markets by setting up showings around the country.

Fancier jewelry with showier aspects began to develop to capture the market.  Traders hired more jewelers and encouraged more creativity. Dangles suspended from the main platform of an earring became popular.  Earrings with screw-back attachments began to be phased out after World War II in favor of those with pierced-ear attachments.

Condition: original condition

Provenance: these Zuni Pueblo Elaborate Silver and Turquoise Dangle Earrings are from a resident of Colorado

Recommended Reading: Navajo and Pueblo Earrings 1850-1945 by Robert Bauver