Sterling Rainbow God Cuff

Zuni

Item Purchased
Marked Down $365.00: Gallery Price $575.00

Title: Sterling Rainbow God Cuff
Artist: Zuni
Medium: Sterling silver, jet, natural turquoise, abalone, pearl shell
Troy ounces: 1.18 troy ounces
Size: Cuff is 5 1/4" inside + 3/4" gap. Figure measures 2 7/8" head to toe X 1 1/4" at widest.
Signed: No maker marks
Date of creation: Circa 1935-1945
Condition: Excellent
Turquoise: Natural turquoise
Description: The Rainbow God brings life-giving rain. He is a joyful harbinger of the good that comes from "dark clouds" overhead--a positive reminder that somethng good exists and can be found in every element of change.
Provenance: B Nib
Gram weight: 33.5 grams

About The Sterling Rainbow God Cuff

Ingot sterling, mill rolled into sheet and drawn into wire, was used in fabrication of the cuff shank and Rainbow God form. Silver was also cut and smelted to form decorative "raindrops" along the curve of his back as well as on either side of his ceremonial "skirt".

Inlay materials consist of high grade, natural blue turquoise, jet, a red orange abalone shell and white oyster pearl shell. The inlay is glued together, creating the desired pattern precisely fitting one of eight serrated bezeled forms creating the overall handsome figure. The inlay is only set after the Rainbow God is soldered to the triple wire shank.

This cuff is supported on either side of the Deity, by a decorative of silver, marquise in shape, with a deep repousse center framed by two crescent "rope twist" stamps. A single bar gathers and terminates the three wire shank into a graceful taper at each end.

About Zuni

The best book to explain the steps in creating Zuni jewelry is Oscar Branson's Indian Jewelry Making. Volume II.

Other Works By Zuni:

Cultures