Zuni Silver, Shell Earrings, Early 20th Century

Zuni, possible Navajo

First quarter 20th century | Shell, Silver, Turquoise | Item 2181

This is a rare and beautiful pair of Zuni (possibly Navajo) earrings. They show carved shell in the shape of a frog set in silver and trimmed on the bottom with 3 pump drilled turquoise beads. These are original and early carved animal forms for which Leekya Deyuse made famous with his more contemporary renditions. The frog shells show great age to them with a highly smoothed and polished surface. The pump drilled turquoise beads are likely re-used from a 19th century necklace. Each earring has a “U” shaped wire to put into a pierced ear. The joinery for this setting is covered with a silver half circle to appear like a full bead from the front.