Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Earring
Date: c. 1950
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
5.8 cm (2 5/16 in.)
Medium: silver | turquoise
Credit Line: Gift of Henry S. Galbraith, 1988.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: SAR.1988-6-43B
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksJim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit February 16 and 17, 2011 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 6”): The rope twist on the interior of the oval is made from 22-gauge silver wire. All of the turquoise is natural and hand worked. The silver drops set between each turquoise on the exterior of the oval are hand made. The silver dangles are cut from 30-gauge silver sheets (which is very thin). The clasp-style posts are commercial and are of the same type as is used on SAR.1988-6-43AB and it is possible that both pairs of earrings were made by the same artist. There is a mark right next to one of the earring posts. It might be the beginning of a signature, but is difficult to determine because it is incomplete.
To get consistently-sized silver drops, sections of wire are cut to identical lengths. The wire sections are then melted on a charcoal board to make them perfectly round.
The Indian Arts Research Center, in collaboration with Native American community scholars, strives to present accurate collections records. Records may be updated as new information becomes available and is reviewed with the Native American community having cultural affinity to particular items. Please write to iarc@sarsf.org if you have questions or concerns related to the documentation.