Five Strand Coral Fetish Necklace [SOLD]

This exquisite necklace of coral hieshe and coral fetishes contains 101 fetishes.  There are rams, bears, turtles, foxes, parrots and other birds and one large owl at the bottom.  The strands are graduated in a manner to allow them to display as individual strands not grouped together as a bunch.

Fetish necklaces made completely of coral are relatively rare.  Most are made of other materials, usually a variety of materials, to achieve different colors in the necklace.  The birds and animals on this necklace are delicate and were expertly carved.  Feathers on the bird’s body and tail are detailed by carving.  The ram’s horns are very detailed.  The beads are consistent in diameter.  This necklace was made by an expert lapidary artist.

There are long curved silver cones at the ends of the necklace for a comfortable fit around one’s neck.  Coral jewelry is relatively rare now because of a strict code against use of coral.  Only older coral jewelry is available.

Condition: original condition with the exception that the tail of one bird has broken off.  Each fetish has to be examined very closely to find the damaged one.  It is not readily noticeable.

Provenance: from a long-time Santa Fe resident who is beginning to down-size her home.

Recommended Reading:  Zuni Jewelry -with price guide by Theda and Michael Bassman