|
|||
Native American Zuni Hummingbird Squash Blossom Necklace NWS 1-1195
~ Each hummingbird is in flight, with their wings in mid-flutter and their tails sweeping forward. ~ The throat of each bird is depicted with inlaid coral, while the breast is inlaid with mother-of pearl. ~ The tail feathers and wings are inlaid with polished, black onyx. ~ The head of each bird is decorated with inlaid abalone shell, its swirling color gradations suggesting feathers in all the magnificent colors of iridescent greens, pinks, violets, blues, opalescent white and aqua. ~ The back of each hummingbird is depicted with a highly polished turquoise stone. ~ Each bird measures 1.5" long and 1 5/8" wide. ~ The centerpiece at the bottom of the necklace is called a "Naja" (pronounced "Na-Ha") and it contains a hummingbird of the same design, but one that is much bigger than the others. She is feeding from a flowering cactus. ~ She is surrounded in a heavenly horse shoe of turquoise stones that have been inlaid in tear-drop shapes, along with inlaid coral circles representing red flowers. ~ Just above the central hummingbird is a flower with almond/peach colored, inlaid shell petals, with an inlaid coral center (hummingbirds are attracted to red flowers from which they extract the sweet nectar). ~ Each colored stone and shell has been inset into solid sterling silver, while each bird's eye is a tiny turquoise stone. ~ The necklace has been signed and dated with an engraving pen, "Wesley & Ella Louise Gia, Zuni, New Mexico, 77" (the date 1977). To see a similar necklace made by Wesley and Louise Gia, now part of the collection of The National Museum of The American Indian, click here (link will open a new tab). ~ These sterling beads are also hand-made. They are hollow, which is traditional for the beads a Navajo calls his, "Pearls". It is infinitely much more work to make the 2-piece, hollow beads, but it makes the necklace a comfortable weight to wear. ~ The necklace measures 26" long; the Naja measures 2.75" wide and 2 7/8" high. Necklace is strung on silver chain. ~ This squash blossom necklace has the traditional hook clasp and weighs 5 ounces of solid sterling silver, turquoise, coral and other semi-precious gemstones and shells. Research: The Turquoise Trail, Native American Jewelry & Culture of the Southwest, p. 114. Hummingbirds are the patrons of Zuni warriors and shamans. The hummingbird represents invisibility, a supernatural trait attributed to some shamans and desirable among warriors. Sometimes the hummingbird will serve as a messenger from the Gods, but mainly he is a magician. The hummingbird can change its form to a white-winged dove or a sharp shinned hawk; he can even transform himself into a bat, which the Zuni Indians consider to be their respected guardians. For more information on the symbolism of Native American designs in jewelry, see "Native American Symbols" at Fabulous Facets! c. 1977, in mint condition, a museum quality, Native American masterpiece. Price = $2,125.00 nex4, nat amer,
|
