Zuni artists set mosaics of turquoise in shell, wood and bone to wear as ornaments. This historic background, plus the influence of Mexican design and the extra time afforded by a more sedentary life, brought forth an intricate and elaborate type of silver work. Silver lost its importance with the Zunis, except as a base to hold stone sets. Small stones, known as snake eyes and needlepoints, with scores or There is extensive use of jet, coral and shell, as well as turquoise. The Shalako ceremony forms the basis of much of Zuni jewelry design. A later development is Zuni inlay (stones fitted to each other) and channel-work (stones inlaid but outlined in silver). The stones are cut to fit open designs in the silver, and then polished flush to the outer surface of the silver. Copyright 2012 |
