Inlay Shell Pendant Coral Necklace with Earrings [SOLD]

Over 65,000 pieces of turquoise were found at Pueblo Bonito at Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, leading archeologists to believe that Chaco was a turquoise manufacturing center. Both turquoise and shell were used for adornment by Ancestral Puebloans during prehistoric times, and both are still being used today.

Anyone who has had the opportunity to attend a Pueblo plaza dance has seen the beautiful turquoise and shell pendants worn by dancers. This particular pendant is especially lovely as it is suspended by four strands of rare red coral. The artist carefully and skillfully set turquoise, jet and shell mosaic onto a smoothed down Spondylus or Spiny Oyster shell.

It is a stunning piece and the addition of four strands of coral makes it extremely rare. To complete the set, a pair of earrings made from Spondylus and turquoise is included.

The pendant has a sticker on which is written P. Reano, 1/77. The Reano family of Kewa Pueblo is well-known for mosaic work.  Percy Reano and his wife Charlotte often collaborate on jewelry making.  He is the son of Joe I. Reano and Clara Lovato Reano.  He and his family live at Kewa Pueblo; where he has been an active jeweler since 1969.  “His experience began when he was a boy, helping his mother drill and grind heishi.  He later gained experience as a welder in Albuquerque and moved to lapidary equipment.  The Reanos are known for achieving extremely tiny beads.  Percy does the initial cutting and final grinding and sanding of the beads.  His wife contributes her mosaic pendants in their collaborations.” Schaaf 2013

Condition: original condition

Reference: American Indian Jewelry III: M-Z, 2,100 Artist Biographies. Ca. 1800-preent by Gregory Schaaf, Ph.D. 2013

Provenance: from a private collection