Zuni Petit Point Drop Clip Earrings [R]

Zuni artisans have a long history in lapidary work but after learning silver work from the Navajo in the late 1800s, they put the two ideas together and started producing jewelry of silver and stone. Zuni lapidary artisans became proficient in mosaic-style inlay jewelry and miniature turquoise stones called petit point.  Zuni petit point jewelry was first made in the 1930s. This process is time consuming and painstaking. Multiple small stones are cut and shaped to fit into tiny bezels to create the design.

These Zuni petit point earrings consist of a triangular shape top with a clip on the back and with another triangular shape section dangling from the top part.   All of the stones are in good shape. This pair of earrings dates to the 1940s when clip earrings were in vogue. 

Condition: very good condition

Recommended Reading: Arizona Highways, March 1975, special issue on Native jewelry

Provenance: from a gentleman in Colorado