Pair of Zuni Teardrop Earrings with Turquoise and Mother of Pearl [SOLD]

Zuni inlay is a very difficult and arduous process in its simplest form but to inlay the mother of pearl in the various shapes used in this pair of earrings takes extraordinary talent and patience. Each of the gemstones varies in size and shape. The lapidary artists could not have selected a more difficult process.

The jewelers and lapidary artists are the well-known Zuni husband and wife team Sibert and Juanita Kallestewa. Sibert was born ca. 1950s and Juanita ca. 1947. They have collaborated since the 1970s or earlier. Their specialty is working with silver, turquoise, and mother of pearl. They have certainly mastered the lapidary skill to produce such exquisite jewelry.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery

Reference: American Indian Jewelry II: A-L 1800 Artist Biographies by Gregory and Angie Schaaf.

TAGS: Zuni Pueblo, Southwest Indian Jewelry, Sibert and Juanita Kallestewa