Zuni Mother of Pearl Earrings with Screw Backs [SOLD]

Zuni artists have been working with shell as a material used for adornment for a thousand years. They were introduced to working with silver in the late 19th century and the new material provided innovative artistic possibilities and a new level of creativity was achieved. These earrings are a perfect example of this mixing of traditional with modern.

Silver and Mother of Pearl together create an elegant combination. An unknown Zuni Pueblo artist cut, polished and shaped multiple pieces of mother of pearl and set them in an elongated geometric pattern. The elongated drops dangle from a diamond shaped piece of mother of pearl. The unsigned jewelry earrings are screw back.

Condition: The Zuni Mother of Pearl Earrings with Screw Backs are in  excellent condition

Provenance: The earrings are 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