Necklace c. 1940s

This necklace was made by an A'shiwi (Zuni) artist; we don't know exactly when, but we can imagine the artist carefully selecting and arranging each stone. I love to think about the choices the artist made. The cool, calm turquoise with its gentle variations… it’s mesmerizing. And the way the stones are set in silver, each one held delicately in place. It's like the artist is building up the surface, composing with color and texture. The design of the necklace feels so connected to the natural world, like tiny flowers blossoming along a vine. Each element seems carefully considered, yet there's a sense of spontaneity and freedom too. The whole thing makes you want to touch it, doesn't it? To feel the coolness of the stones against your skin. It's like a little piece of the earth, transformed into something beautiful and precious.