Lee & Mary Weebothee 1960s ~ 14K Morenci Turquoise ~ Large Cluster Pin/Pend w/ Drippy Nuggets

Lee & Mary Weebothee 1960s ~ 14K Morenci Turquoise ~ Large Cluster Pin/Pend w/ Drippy Nuggets

Here is sheer Excellence in Native American Design and Craftsmanship. Lee and Mary Weebothee "won more Grand Prize awards than any Zuni Artisans in history" (Scottsdale weekly, Feb 1970). They started working together in the 1940s. This Important work features their signature nuggets on the end of long segmented tear drop dangles. This Exceptional work of art features hi-grade "red" matrix Morenci Turquoise. It is no longer available, and very valuable. The stones are perfectly cut and matched. All in heavy, solid, 14k Gold. Correctly Signed: Zuni, Lee/Mary for Lee and Mary Weebothee. Mary died in 1996. Their work and awards are well documented. Mark Bahti devotes a chapter of his "Silver + Stone" to Lee Weebothe, and features a double sided version of this same style pendant. The Kennedy Museum of Art features a segment on the Weebothees with pictures of their collection. See below for a list of sources they give.

This Outstanding Work of Art measures: 3" Diameter for the Cluster, the dangles are 2 1/2" long. The chain is 23" long and is heavy with open links so the wearer can adjust the pendant to any length. Nice. Substantially weighing in at 112 gms. About 3 2/3 oz.

Condition is Excellent.

Sources: Arizona Highways, "The All Indian Pow-wow at Flagstaff. Arizona Highways v. 48, n. 6 (June, 1972): 44. Bassman, Theda and Michael. Zuni Jewelry. West Chester, Pa.: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1992, p. 15, 36-37, 60. Bassman, Theda. Treasures of Zuni. Flagstaff, Ariz.: Northland Publishing Company, 1996, p. 32-33. Baxter, Paula A. "Navajo and Pueblo Jewelry 1940-1970: Three Decades of Innovative Design Revisited." American Indian Art Magazine 21 (Autumn, 1996): 38. Bedinger, Margery. Indian Silver: Navajo and Pueblo Jewelers. Albuquerque, N.Mex.: University of New Mexico Press, 1973, p. 194. Bell, Ed and Barbara. Zuni: The Art and the People Volume I. Grants, N.Mex.: Squaw Bell Traders, 1975, p. 44-45. Bell, Ed and Barbara. Zuni: The Art and the People Volume II. Grants, N.Mex.: Squaw Bell Traders, 1976, p. 60. Cirillo, Dexter.South-Western Indian Jewelry, New York, NY: Abbeville Press, 1992, p. 86. Levy, Gordon. Who's Who in Zuni Jewelry. Denver, Colo.: Western Arts Publishing Co.,1980, p. 56. Monongye, Preston. "The New Indian Jewelry Art of the Southwest." Arizona Highways 48 (June, 1972): 10. n.a., "The Zuni Love of Beauty, Creation, Accomplishment," Scottsdale Weekly, February 13, 1970, n.p. Schaaf, Gregory. American Indian Jewelry 1: 12 Artist Biographies. Santa Fe, N.Mex.: CIAC Press, 2003, p. 322-323. Schiffer, Nancy. Evolving Designs. West Chester, Pa.: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1990, p. 104, 196, 209. Stacey, Joseph. "The Arizona Highways Hall of Fame Classics." Arizona Highways. v. 50, no. 8 (Aug. 1974): 19-35. Wright, Barton. Hallmarks of the Southwest. Atglen, Pa.: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2000, p. 179.

Item ID: 213

$5,400 USD SALE PENDING

This item is Pending a Sale so cannot be purchased at this time.