Lapis Lazuli and Traditional Zuni Sterling Silver stone-inlay Knifewing pin/pendant.
The pendant is of traditional Zuni jewelery art and made by the profound Zuni jewelry artist Leonard Martza. Hand cut/shaped turquoise, red coral, MOP and jet all pieced together then set into a handmade sterling silver setting. Hallmarked LM on the back.
As described by anthropologist Frank Hamilton Cushing, who lived with the Zunis from 1879-1884: "This curious god is the hero of hundreds of folklore tales, the tutelary deity of several societies of Zuni. He is represented as possessing a human form, furnished with flint knife-feathered pinions, and tail. His dress consists of the conventional terraced cap (representative of his dwelling place among the clouds)... His weapons are the Great Flint-Knife of War, the Bow of the Skies (the Rainbow), and the Arrow of Lightning. His guardians or warriors are the Great Mountain Lion of the North and that of the upper regions. He was doubtless the original War God of the Zunis."
About the Artist: Leonard Martza has been making fine jewelry since the 1940's when he was a silversmith for CG Wallace. He lives in Zuni Pueblo ("Middle Place") and has won awards for his work over the years. Leonard's work has not changed, it is as if we stepped back in time 75 years. This is traditional Zuni jewelry... beautiful and timeless.
Materials: lapis lazuli, sterling silver, coral, turquoise, onyz
