Zuni Inlay Jewelry

Zuni Inlay
Rare Vintage Zuni Inlaid Jewelry

The Zuni are known for their fine channel inlay jewelry.

Complex, channel designs are fashioned in silver atop a lower
silver layer. Then turquoise, coral, shell or gemstones
are cut to match the channels and inlaid
into the channels.

The Zuni began Channel Inlay in the 1920's (working with
CG Wallace). Zuni style inlay has become so popular
that many Southwest Indian artisans now
use it routinely.

Authenticity and condition are unconditionally guaranteed.
When your jewelry arrives if you are not thrilled, Immediately
return it to us insured for a full refund less our cost
of mailing it to you.

Inlay like this started in Zuni in the 1920's or 30's. Among
the key artists were Teddy Weahkee, Frank Vacit,
Leo Poblano, Lambert Homer.

It moved forward with Eddie Beyuka (deceased), Dennis
Edaakie, the Benn's and Andrea Lonjose Shirley.

The Eddie Beyuka Spirit Dancer offered is an excellent example
of this art form from a very well respected, published
and collected artist.

It is meant to be worn, but could easily be mounted in
a shadow box and displayed on a wall.

Original Leather string tie (which is worn and we would be happy to
replace at no cost) and Eddie Beyuka drum tips included.

Lambert Homer is widely recognized as one of the finest Zuni
jewelers to have lived. His work and that of Frank Vacit
are extraordinary,

This piece feels very much like a Vacit... thin delicate
silver channels with complex inlay.

Rare Teddy Weahkee Butterfly Maiden bracelet pictured
with a Teddy Weahkee Zuni Fetish Carving.

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The color photo above is from the 1992 Bassman book, Zuni Jewelry.
It is a photograph of the work of Zuni artist Andrew Dewa (deceased).

Andrew's work was clearly inspired by the Zuni artists that preceded
him. The black and white photo below the color Bassman photo
is from the 1975 Sotheby CG Wallace Catalogue.

It is work of famed Zuni artist Leo Pablano. There is
little difference between their work and is difficult to tell Andrew
Dewa's work apart from that of Leo Pablano

However, a Leo Pablano piece would probably sell for 5 to 10 times
the price of an Andrew Dewa. Do not let this mislead you. Work
like this by Andrew is just as difficult to find
as that of Pablano.

Andrew Dewa Zuni Deer Kachina Bolo Tie

Handmade without the use of electric tools

circa 1960's

Fine craftsmanship abounds in both the Inlay and Silver

Notice the surfaces of many of the stones are of different
heights... where doing so adds an interesting
artistic detail.

The inlay includes Mother of Pearl, Turquoise, Jet,
Coral and Tortoise Shell. Tortoise Shell is no longer permitted to
be used but was acceptable during that period and before.

Based on the Bennett clip, this bolo tie was made
in the sixties or early seventies. The earliest Bennett clips
carried no patent info. The later ones had
the patent number.

Original leather string tie and silver tips included

It measures 1 3/4" x 1"

$865

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Zuni Inlaid Bolo Tie

Rare Vintage Large Eagle Dancer Bolo Tie

Rare Vintage Large Eagle Dancer Bolo Tie
Dennis Edaakie - Zuni

Dennis Edaakie is among the most famous of the Zuni jewelers
specializing in gem inlay. This Eagle Dancer is reminiscent of
work from great Zuni artists like Frank Vacit,
Leo Poblano, and Eddie Beyuka.

They created jewelry, works of art, that seem alive... that dance
in front of your eyes. Over the last 80 years there have been
few artists capable of such magic.

This particular bolo tie is made from very fine gem
Morenci or Kingman Turquoise, Mother of
Pearl, Jet, and Coral.

It is unsigned, but a piece very much like it can be seen in the
Schaaf volume, American Indian Jewelry I (a fine reference
book on the subject) - page 145. It was probably and early
piece before the Edaakie's used a hallmark. It also may
have been a personal piece or a gift to a friend, such
pieces are rarely signed (but exquisitely
made as is this one)

Circa 1950's or 1960's

It is in excellent, like new condition

It is larger then he usually made and measures
3 1/2" across x 3 5/8" tall.

$4,500

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Vintage Zuni Inlay Bolo Tie

Helen and Lincoln Zunie (deceased)

Circa late 1940's or 1950's

Unsigned

This is the quality that made Zuni Inlay famous (although inlay is now
made by many people, it was the Zuni who began this style of
Southwest jewelry in the 1920's). Very thin gauge
silver and silver channels are perfectly filled
with beautiful Shell and Gemstones.

Thin gauge, silver, channel work like this is very difficult since the
heat necessary to lay the solder could easily melt or warp the silver.

The shell and gemstones are meticulously shaped and inlaid by
hand... electricity did not arrive in Zuni until
the early 1960's.

This is a wonderful example of Lincoln Zunie's and top quality
Zuni Pueblo work of that period.

Notice the fastener on the back is handmade (not a jewelry
supply store bought Bennett Clip) and the work itself is extremely
graceful as in the style of Frank Vacit, Lambert Homer,
Leo Poblano and Teddy Weahkee... the great Zuni
artisans who began it all.

A rare find that will surely be a thrilling addition
to any collection.

3" tall x 2 1/2" long

$2485

Bobby & Corraine Shack
Superb - Investment Quality - 1970's
Knife Wing Pendant with handmade Silver Bead Necklace

The 1970's was the decade of Southwest Indian Jewelry.
Everyone wore it. Celebrities and rock stars were adrift in it.
Even the Wall Street Journal talked about its being a smart
investment (which in my opinion it still is).

Demand was high and prices for Indian jewelry rose.
Sometimes the high prices were not justified, just carpetbaggers
taking advantage of the situation. But more often then not,
the high prices gave silversmiths the freedom to create
masterpieces. Silversmiths (who had the talent) could
take the time and spend the money to create
beautiful works of art knowing their effort
and high dollar material costs
would be recovered.

This is such a superlative example.
Notice the silver work on this bolo is not straight but rather is a
series of artistic curves. Not only is this very difficult and
time consuming but it requires more work and skill in
the lapidary stages that followed. Each stone was
hand made to exactly fit the channel. Further,
the stones and shells were not simply
ground flat... but each beautifully
rises out of its channel.

When it comes to judging the great work of an era, time is
essential. It is only through the perspective of time that we truly
appreciate the extraordinary. Time gives us the opportunity
to see the full spectrum of an artists talent (and that of
contemporaries). And, to judge work in view of that
which came both before it and after it too.

Having said that, I believe this is an extraordinary work.
It stands among the best jewelry I have seen Zuni.

This was part of a set. We published the Knifewing bolo tie
that was its mate. Whether you display this pendant or are
bold enough to wear it, rest assured you
have a Zuni masterpiece.

4 1/2" x 4"

This Knife Wing Bolo Tie and its matching tips
are made of Sea Shell, Tortoise Shell, Jet,
Turquoise and Coral.