YELMO BETTY NATACHU NATIVE AMERICAN ZUNI STONE INLAY KNIFEWING BRACELET EARRINGS

Description

COLLECTIBLE 1940's-1950's ZUNI STERLING SLVER & MOSAIC INLAY KNIFEWING KACHINA BRACELET & EARRINGS SET - GUILLERMO "YELMO" & BETTY NATACHU.
Spectacular Native American Zuni bracelet & earrings set with the Knifewing Kachina composed of turquoise, red coral, black jet and mother of pearl shell inlay.
Channel inlay technique that became popular in the 1940's among Zuni jewelers. The entire silver matrix or bezels are made first and then precisely cut stones are fitted into each of the spaces.  Some Navajo silversmiths specialize in creating channel work blanks which are then sold to Zuni lapidaries. The technique is commonly used for both geometric and representational patterns.
Zuni silversmiths arranged the stones in a larger variety of patterns. The silver was not used as the primary design elements but merely as the vehicle for the turquoise. The Zuni also valued stones that were precisely cut and carefully matched in color and shape. As the early smiths shaped their stones primarily by rubbing them on pieces of sandstone, this extensive turquoise work was exceedingly tedious. Nevertheless, Zuni silversmiths became highly skilled lapidaries.
Zuni channel Inlay is rare, highly sought after and valuable. This type of Zuni Inlay jewelry looks beautiful with any outfit and look great in a vintage Native American jewelry display. As years went by The Zuni Indians perfected their silver work and started making world class inlaid turquoise jewelry. Today Zuni Inlay Jewelry is some of the most popular silver jewelry world wide.
The Zuni’s love colored stones and shells and started mixing colored stones with turquoise approximately in the 1920's.
The bracelet measures 2" wide with
an inside circumference of 6-1/2" including the opening. The opening measures 1-1/4". It can be partially adjusted.
The Knifewing Kachina measures 2" tall and 1-1/2" wide.
Amazing detail throughout.
The earrings measure 1" tall and 3/4" wide. They have screw backs. Screws are signed "Sterling."
The set was made of unmarked sterling silver, in excellent condition, with a beautiful dark and untouched patina.
It is possible that this set was never used.
The bracelet is signed "3 pc set REXX" with an engraver, most likely a Pawn Mark.
This is a spectacular collector's set!!!!...
Total weight
is 37g.
Be the proud owner of this wonderful Native American treasure.
FREE Shipping within the U.S. by USPS Mail
Sales tax not included, eBay will collect sales tax in accordance with applicable state law and will be added to your invoice.
Item ships the following working day.
Visit My eBay Store: Arizona Historical Treasure