1980s Seven‑Strand Mixed‑Stone Fetish Necklace With Hand‑Cut Heishi & Silver Findings

Details

Description

Seven‑strand mixed‑stone fetish necklace featuring hand‑carved animal figures in turquoise, serpentine, jet, shell, pipestone, calcite, and spiny oyster tones. The … Read more Seven‑strand mixed‑stone fetish necklace featuring hand‑carved animal figures in turquoise, serpentine, jet, shell, pipestone, calcite, and spiny oyster tones. The strands are spaced with traditional hand‑cut shell heishi showing natural cream‑to‑brown variation. Each fetish displays classic late‑20th‑century Zuni workshop traits: simplified silhouettes, drilled dot eyes, and horizontal stringing.

The necklace is unsigned, so attribution relies on construction clues. The clasp is hand‑fabricated and tests as .925 sterling silver. The tapered silver cones test around .800 silver, consistent with coin‑silver sheet commonly used by Navajo artisans for handmade findings. Both components show bench‑made characteristics rather than factory production. The seven‑strand layout, even tensioning, and clean engineering further support Southwestern artisan assembly.
Sold with silver unpolished to preserve buyer preference on patina.
Length: 26 inches
Era: 1980-2000 See less