Mosaic on shell pieces found at Chaco Canyon and other Indigenous sites date back to ancient times. Organic materials were utilized including turquoise, which was mined near Kewa (Santo Domingo Pueblo). Fast forward to modern times when the 1929 stock market crashed followed by the Great Depression. People were in dire straits struggling financially. Kewa jewelers used their ingenuity and creativity resulting in what is called Depression era jewelry, made with what was at hand, found and repurposed like plastics from red headbands, spoons and even car batteries. These synthetics provided an opportunity to replicate expensive natural materials like red coral.
Handmade by Isaiah Calabaza in the Kewa mosaic jewelry tradition is a stunning naja or crescent shaped pendant arranged with colorful turquoise, spiny oyster shell, mother-of-pearl, jet and a fascinating orange-hued stone, perhaps a terracotta on a bed of black lip shell. Including the silver bale, measurements of this wonderful pendant are approximately 4 1/2" long and 3 5/8" wide. The brown leather cord pictured is not included. Signed by the artist.
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