Native American Sterling Silver Mother of Pearl, onyx, coral, turquoise necklace

Description : There are 11 inlaid 'Sun' faces in this Zuni necklace. The Zuni pueblo is 150 miles from Albuquerque where the 10,000 tribal members live, and the only pueblo to speak the Zuni language. The Zuni culture is inspired by their surrounding landscapes, crops and everyday life. This necklace is a signature design called a 'Sun' face and can be found in many Zuni artifacts and art examples. The sun was worshipped for its direct relationship to the cycles of the seasons and to their phases of life. Onyx, Mother of Pearl, Coral, and Turquoise are meticulously cut to fit the sterling silver shapes the artisans create. This necklace is a classic example of Zuni inlay work, and their tribute to the sun god. The image is a face, split evenly across the middle to represent the sun and the moon, with eyes, and eagle feathers surrounding the face like the headdress of the chief. This is a monumental national treasure of style, indigenous ingenuity and fine Zuni craftsmanship.

Item Number : P21261

Category : NECKLACE

Brand : ZUNI