Zuni Pueblo Magnificent Multi Stone Inlay Thunderbird Bola Tie [SOLD]

The Zuni are masters at lapidary work. The manner in which a lapidary artisan cuts a variety of stones and fits them together to form wonderful geometric patterns or figural elements is unequalled by any other jewelry-making tribes. The precise manner in which each stone is shaped is akin to an artist creating a painting—it is mosaic work of the finest quality.

This mid-twentieth century Zuni Pueblo masterpiece features the legendary thunderbird.  It was executed with turquoise, mother of pearl, coral (maybe spondylus), and jet, each cut in a variety of shapes from half moon, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular and free form.  It must have been a nightmare for the lapidary artisan who labored over it. The silver tips each have mosaic inlay feathers that are pendant and swing freely.

This is a spectacularly strong image that was beautifully created in the 1940s or 1950s. 

Provenance: This Zuni Pueblo Magnificent Multi Stone Inlay Thunderbird Bola Tie was purchased by a former medical doctor in Santa Fe who not only purchased outstanding examples of jewelry for his wife, but apparently purchased some for himself.  He is now gone and his wife who is in her 90s is divesting of their collection of Southwest Indian Jewelry.