Zuni Silver and Turquoise Channel Inlay Ring [R]

This channel inlay ring is a good indication of his incredible lapidary skill of Zuni Pueblo artist Frank Vacit.  Note that the silver channels are curved which necessitated that the turquoise be cut in curves to precisely fit in the channels.  Only an experienced lapidary artisan could accomplish that.

The ring is stamped with the hallmark of the artist which resembles a fleur-de-lis. 

Zuni artisan Frank Vacit was active between 1930 and 1950 or a little later.  He was married to the daughter of Leekya Deyuse, the most famous Zuni fetish carver of all times.  His jewelry is in the collections of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian and the Heard Museum in Phoenix. 

Frank Vacit specialized in both traditional styles of Zuni jewelry—mosaic, channel inlay—and in addition to making jewelry he made plates, desk sets and letter openers.

Condition: original condition

Provenance: this Zuni Silver and Turquoise Channel Inlay Ring is from the collection of a gentleman from Colorado

Recommended Reading:  American Indian Jewelry III: M-Z, 2,100 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaa

TAGS: Southwest Indian Jewelry, Zuni Pueblo, Frank Vacit, Leekya Deyuse