Zuni 1940s Zuni Altar Mission Church Channel Inlay Pin w Stamped Silver Cross

Description

Welcome!
WHAT IS GREAT ABOUT IT: Zuni altars are extremely rare to find and I have two being offered now. The only other one I've seen is depicted in Bassman's book, Zuni Jewelry, which I believe is out of print now. I've included the bit from that book above as it is documentation of the type of pin. Their example is by Ralph Quam and was valued at 00 - 00 in the 1990s. This pin is of that genre and may well have been made by the same artist. I'm not sure of that, but would definitely date it, like the other, to the 1940s. This is really a rare and intriguing piece, highly collectible, which is made with channel inlay in reflective mother of pearl, red abalone, jet and turquoise with some beautiful silver stamped work creating the cross. There is also some negative space so it will always match what you wear as the fabric can be seen through that negative space. In addition to
representing
an altar it is suggested that it represents the Mission Church in uni dating to the 1900s. The religious symbolism is clear in each case from the beautiful cross in the pin. It's a gorgeous and important find.
CONDITION: good wearable, vintage, collectible condition. No stones missing, some expectable age related wear.
MEASUREMENTS:
•
1.75" wide and 1-7/8" wide
• weight is 14.63g
• unmarked for metal content which is usual for the time, but it's at least coin silver at .900 to sterling at .925
• unsigned by the artist
which is usual for the time but it's early Zuni work and may also have
been
done by Ralph Quam.
SUMMARY: stunning early Zuni Altar pin also may reflect the Zuni Mission Church, made with channel inlay and some superb stamped silver work.
This is a very rare, indeed a unique work of art, a pin which is a g
reat collectible!
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