Pair of Hopi Earrings, Mosaic Turquoise on Wood

Hopi

First half 20th Century | Turquoise, Wood, Hide, Shell | Item 2691

This is a beautiful pair of Hopi earrings. They are done in the old (ancient) style of pieces of turquoise attached to a wood backing with pinon pitch as the glue. The early ones were also done as a square or rectangular shape. The center has a square piece of shell for which all the turquoise pieces are built around. Notice how a few of the turquoise pieces have holes in them showing that they were once part of a necklace or bracelet. The earrings hang on old hide. This may be original, or may have been added later. Whichever is the case, the hide works well as a drop element.