This vintage Zuni pendant necklace was made by artist Effie Calavaza. It's solid sterling silver with genuine inlaid stones.

The pendant has turquoise and red coral stones, each set in hand cut bezels. The stones are 'watched over' by Effie's signature SNAKE design. The snake eyes are flush inlaid red coral. The snake slinks down from the bale to the bottom of the pendant. Fine silver beads and stamped patterns accent the design. The pendant hangs from a sterling silver chain that's 20 inches.

Pendant measures 1 1/4 inches across by 2 inches long. The back is signed with her hallmark... EFFIE C. ZUNI.
The necklace weighs 25.4 grams.

The snake is an important symbol in Zuni culture. It's part of healing and fertility ceremonies. It represents primitive energy, life, death, and rebirth.

Effie Calavaza was born in 1928 in Zuni, New Mexico, where she lived her entire life. She married Juan Calvaza (1910–1970), also a jewelry artist, who taught her the art. Until her husband's death in 1970, she signed her own work with her husband's signature, "JUAN C.–ZUNI. Later, she signed her work with her own name.

Experts in Native American art consider her an influential, prolific, and classic Zuni jewelry artist and her work is highly collectible.

Free U.S. shipping on all our items.
Click on FAVORITE SHOP and be the first to see our newest listings.