Mosaic Inlay Pottery Earrings from Zuni Pueblo [SOLD]

According to archaeologists, the Zuni have been living in their present location in western New Mexico for thousands of years. They were farmers, who raised corn, beans and squash. They made beautiful pottery and adorned themselves with jewelry made of finely cut turquoise, shell and other stones.

The first European expedition, the Spanish expedition of Fray Marcos de Niza, visited Zuni in 1539, where Estevanico, a Moorish slave led an advance party to the pueblo. Estevanico was killed, accused of misconduct by the Zuni and the expedition returned to Mexico City with stories of “Cities of Gold.” Gold has never been found in the Zuni area, but the Zuni people remain. Today one of the main economic activities at the pueblo is jewelry making.  

Continuing a thousand-year tradition, Zuni jewelers cut small pieces of stone to create jewelry. Beginning in the late 19th century, the use of silver was added to the process. The Zuni began placing finely cut stones into delicate frames of silver, a process called inlay jewelry. One type of inlay jewelry is the mosaic style, where pieces are cut to form a design and placed together.

These mosaic earrings are made to resemble the shape of a Pueblo olla or water jar. The unknown artist precisely cut and shaped pieces of jet, turquoise, white shell, and spiny oyster shell for use to create the shape of a pot. The pieces are framed in a handmade silver bezel. The earrings date from the mid 20th Century and are screw-back.

Condition: The Mosaic Inlay Pottery Earrings from Zuni Pueblo are in excellent condition. The stones are all intact and there is a very nice patina to the silver.

Provenance: From a Santa Fe collection

Recommended Reading:  The Beauty of Zuni Jewelry by Theda Bassman