Chippewa Turquoise and Montana Marble Pendant with Silver Drops [SOLD]

Montana marble and turquoise are the focal point of this unique pendant created by Chippewa artist Terrance Emery and his wife Dorothy. The pendant has three layers, giving it a three-dimensional look. The top layer consists of two sections of black and cream-colored Montana marble, set on either side of a deep blue rectangular-shaped cabochon of turquoise. The gemstone layer rests upon a highly polished platform of silver that has two engraved lines that correspond to the segment breaks for the stones above. The bottom layer is satin-finished. A row of delicate silver drops was set on the top, separating the main section from the wide band. 

In Gregory Schaaf’s book American Indian Jewelry II: A-L 1,800 Artist Biographies: 

“Terrance Emery was born and raised on the St. Croix Ojibwa Reservation in Northern Wisconsin. He is from the Marten Clan known as the ‘skilled craftsman and soldier of the tribe.’ Terrance was taught traditional arts used in ceremonies and dances by his relatives. He is proficient in woodland-style beadwork, leatherwork and other Ojibwa crafts such as pipe making. Terrance became interested in silversmithing in the 1970s when he moved to New Mexico. He developed his own contemporary style and uses techniques such as overlay, lapidary and tufa casting.”

In a recent conversation with Terrance’s son, Terrance Jr. shared that his father moved to Albuquerque from Wisconsin in 1970 to attend Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. He made jewelry for more than thirty years, attending native art shows and pow-wows across the US. He taught his son the art of jewelry making. 

This pendant is from the collection of Marvin and Betty Rubin. Their detailed records indicate that they purchased the pendant from the artist in 1998 at the Pueblo Grande Market in Phoenix. It is signed D/T Emery.

Condition: this pendant is in excellent condition. 

Provenance: this Chippewa Turquoise and Montana Marble Pendant with Silver Drops is from the estate of Marvin and Betty Rubin

Recommended Reading: American Indian Jewelry II: A-L 1,800 Artist Biographies: by Gregory Schaaf

Relative Links: Southwest Indian Jewelry, Chippewa, Terrance and Dorothy Emery, Chippewa Silversmiths