Gold Swirl Earrings by Jolene Eustace [SOLD]

Jolene Eustace's Masterpiece: The Radiance of Gold and Silver Earrings

Jolene Eustace, a renowned artist from Cochiti Pueblo, has carved a niche for herself in the world of jewelry with her exceptional craftsmanship. Her work, widely recognized and celebrated, has garnered numerous accolades.

Among her brilliant creations, these earrings stand out as a testament to her artistic prowess. Exuding style and elegance, they are meticulously crafted into modestly sized circles. The earrings boast a silver back plate, providing a stunning contrast to the gold swirling pattern adorning the front. This pattern, gracefully encircling the circumference, adds a touch of sophistication to the design. These earrings, a perfect blend of style and beauty, are a shining example of Jolene Eustace's brilliance in jewelry design.

The back is signed 14K .925 JE.

Jolene is a daughter of Ben Eustace (c.1920s-2007) of Zuni Pueblo and Felicita Eustace (1927-2016) of Cochiti Pueblo, both of whom were potters of distinction.

From Greg Schaaf's book we quote "Jolene A. Eustace-Hanelt is respected as a master jeweler. She comes from a family of jewelers and potters. She grew up helping her parents. In a cover story for Indian Artist magazine, Jolene shared: ‘I was eight when I made my first piece. I got an order to do 100 tie tacks . . .That was over 100 bucks.' She bought a 10-speed bike with the money. She added ‘Then I realized I could be self-sufficient with my work as an artist . . . My work is my release. My work is my meditation. It's a way of going back to Mother Earth.'" [Schaaf 2012:207]

Jolene attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. She credits learning jewelry making from her parents and Hopi jeweler Duane Maktima. She has been actively making jewelry since the mid-1980s.

Condition: good condition

Provenance: this Gold Swirl Earrings by Jolene Eustace is from a collection of a Santa Fe resident

Reference: Schaaf, Gregory. American Indian Jewelry II: A-L 1,800 Artist Biographies.

TAGS: Southwest Indian Jewelry, Cochiti Pueblo, Felicita Eustace, Zuni Pueblo, Ben Eustace, Christina Eustace, Jolene Eustace