Necklace c. 20th century

This gorgeous necklace was made by A’shiwi (Zuni) artists, its date is unknown, and I’m completely drawn to the delicate dance between the silver and the turquoise! Imagine the artist carefully selecting each stone, arranging them into these sweet flower-like clusters. It feels both intentional and intuitive, like a painter mixing colors on a palette. Each placement must be so precise and delicate. I think the process might be a form of meditation, a patient revealing of an embedded pattern. And look at the U shape pendant, it sits there at the bottom like a little blessing! Each stone has so much character, almost breathing. The turquoise—it's not just a color, it's an energy, reflecting the sky and the earth all at once. I see a conversation between the artist and the materials, a push and pull between design and happenstance. And in a way, this conversation continues every time someone new looks at it.