1940s-50s Zuni Myra Tucson / Myra Vacit Thunderbird Pair of Pins Mosaic Inlay

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1940s-50s Zuni Myra Tucson / Myra Vacit Thunderbird Pair of Pins Mosaic Inlay:
$1078.00

I had a fire. Unless the item says in next sentence of description that the item is available and here, please don't offer or offer. More will become available.Welcome.
I am offering for your consideration a pair of rare early thunderbird or Hopi Bird pins which were made by the estimable Myra Tucson, who began work in the 1940s and is mentioned in most all the books. She represented Zuni artists in her era, participating in the exhibit "Southwest Indian Arts II" held at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco in 1955, exhibiting her work with Kenneth Begay in that show. She is one of the most important Zuni artists. I've owned pieces of hers with seed belts on one of her birds, made with Homer Vacit and which showed a similar design to these with curvilinear style of channel and mosaic inlay, like the style she used on these birds. And also pieces she made when married to Lee Tucson where there was double crest as well as triangular eye and the curvilinear style. This pair of birds isn't identical, but are so similar that they can be considered a pair of pins and I always wear them together. The only difference between them is the inlay on the tails. Otherwise they are identical inlay designs, but facing opposite directions. Since they do face opposite directions they could also be converted to be a pair of earrings if one wanted although I've always enjoyed wearing them as a pair of pins. So lovely! She used natural turquoise, spondylus and white mother of pearl, and also jet. The silver work includes applied raindrops and flattened silver wire. Gorgeous! These are great pins for a hat pin, handbag, belt, or your shirt or pocket. All the stones are natural, hand cut, buffed, and set into channel and mosaic inlay. Her work is superb and these are gorgeous pieces.

The sizes are 2-3/16" High x 1-5/8" Wide and 2-1/16" High x 1-9/16 " Wide, the weight 12.8 grams and 13 grams. The condition excellent vintage, with minor age appropriate wear, such as a few hairlines. She uses perfect triangular mosaic inlay for the eye and the inlay is of very small, fine, pieces, all inlaid perfectly; primarily channel inlay work. She hand applies flattened raindrops for decoration as well as some fine flattened twisted wire under the wings. The stones are highly iridescent and flash when you wear the pins. The seed belts are particularly unusual to see on birds and are wonderful, adding a special level of charm.

These are not signed nor marked for silver content as is typical for the age of the pieces but they test as sterling silver and the attribution to Myra Tucson is without question. She was previously married to Homer Vacit and her work is here influenced by her work with him though the design suggests these weren't done when she was married to him but probably after that marriage, when married to Lee Tucson.

This is a highly collectible pair and it's rare to find a pair, not to mention such a special pair, so we're talking museum worthy collectibility in my opinion.

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