Best Zuni Early Knifewing Pin Mosaic Inlay Natural Turquoise & Shells Mid-Cent Y

  
What a special very old knifewing which is perfectly inlaid without gaps in mosaic inlay and made of the most gorgeous very old shells and turquoise. The luminous mother of pearl is matched by early wonderful pink abalone with mixed coloration, and jet and clam shell.

No eyes, and an inlaid circle mouth. I'd point out that Leekya Deyuse is said to have made inlaid knifewing figures without eyes! So whoever made this piece is in great company, and of course this could be one of the Leekya pieces, too.

While he is the most famous carver, he also inlay. The CG Wallace catalog has an inlaid pair of earrings which they say were made by Leekya Deyuse. There are also other master silversmiths in the catalog (Lambert Homer, Teddy Weahkee), who made pieces with dot inlay here and there, but none with only a single dot in the face, so I'm reluctant to make an attribution, but any of those three masters could have made this gorgeous knifewing pin.

The inlay design is unique and incredibly gorgeous. I admire the inlaid semicircles in the wings. There are hand applied hand made raindrops, and there is hand made twisted wire and also some stamped raindrops adorning the piece.

Whoever IS the artist, was a great Zuni artist because this is a wonderful, really fabulous, Zuni work of art. Condition is excellent, vintage, wearable, collectible. This gorgeous pin measures 2" W x 1-3/4" H and weighs 10.31grams.

It's in great vintage and collectible condition with minimal normal age related wear. Knifewing was a warrior known as the Great One who came down from his ethereal plateau to bestow wisdom, strength and courage amongst his recipients, only revealing himself to the warriors who serve as protectors of the Pueblo. This is a happy pin which would be great on a hat or on a belt or bag or shirt. It's highly collectible, of course. Suitable for the best collections and certainly museum quality.

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When I include pages from published books in my listings it is in accordance with Fair Use Law, which permits the use of source material for discussion, reference, education and criticism. Attributions on many of the old pieces of Native American jewelry are sometimes a moving target.

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