Zuni Petit-Point Flower Earrings [SOLD]

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Artist Unknown
  • Category: Earrings
  • Origin: Zuni Pueblo, SHE-WE-NA
  • Medium: sterling silver, turquoise
  • Size: ¾” long x ¾” wide
  • Item # C3902i
  • SOLD

When the railroad arrived in the American Southwest at the end of the 19th Century, it brought many changes to the Native American people living in the area. One change was the influx of adventurers coming to visit Indian Country.  Native American silversmiths saw an economic opportunity in the marketing and sale of jewelry to the travelers. In order to reach the tourist market, silversmiths altered their style. The Eastern aesthetic for jewelry was different from the Native American aesthetic. Tourists preferred a more delicate style as opposed to the more substantial, traditional style of the Southwestern American Indian peoples.

This lovely set of Zuni Pueblo earrings is an excellent example of the dainty style that was created to market to the tourists traveling the railroads and highways of the early 20th Century Southwestern United States.  The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway was established in this area as early as 1876 as was the earliest and fastest way to explore the southwest.  The earliest Highways weren't established until decades later and the first highways were further north.

Known for centuries as workers of turquoise, the Zuni jewelers cut and shaped small pieces of stone to be set into silver settings. Many times, there was a collaboration between Zuni lapidary artisans and Navajo silversmiths. Traders would purchase the Zuni stones which had been cut, made into a design, and then glued onto a cardboard back. These creations were then given to Navajos to set in silver. It is unknown whether this was the case with these earrings, however both the stonework and the silverwork on these earrings show expert skill. The small turquoise flowers have delicate silver rays coming out of them. Each ray has a tiny silver ball at its tip. They were originally screw-back earrings, but have been converted to post back for pierced ears. They are in the petit-point style of Zuni jewelry, which is why we labeled them Zuni.


Condition: The Zuni Petit-Point Flower Earrings are in excellent condition

Provenance: From an Albuquerque collection

Recommended Reading: Zuni Jewelry by Theda Bassman

Artist Unknown
  • Category: Earrings
  • Origin: Zuni Pueblo, SHE-WE-NA
  • Medium: sterling silver, turquoise
  • Size: ¾” long x ¾” wide
  • Item # C3902i
  • SOLD

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