Posted 8 years ago
sade11210412
(19 items)
This is a beautiful necklace with quite the story. This was given to me in a large lot of beads. It did catch my attention right off the bat. I did not see any makers marks on it at all. So I thought it was costume jewelry and nothing more. I listed the lot of beads for sale with the necklace. Unbelievably the lot sold two times and the buyer each time never paid. I listed it a third time and a very kind lady contacted me. She told me what she thought the necklace was. I was in disbelief, but I took the sale down any way. I did a magnet test on the necklace and bought a silver testing kit. I cant believe it still 98.8 grams of silver made by the Zuni. From what I'm told each bead was hand crafted. I'm still in shock! If any one has any info about date, history, I'm all ears. I still cant believe no one paid for the auction. It wasn't even that much money. The lady that told me what it was could of just as easily bought it for 40.00. Very kind people in this world. Thanks for checking it out.
Looks like a Zuni Kachina Dancer necklace. I believe the beads (seams) and figures are cast, not handmade. The enameling/stringing was done by hand.
Here is something similar:
http://www.instappraisal.com/appraisal/zuni-kachina-dancer-sterling-ring-signed-g-b-natachu-and-sterling-silver-necklace
Lady Luck certainly smiled on you!
You are right they were cast not hand made. That was my mistake. I have also heard the dancer is a Rainbow Man. Is there a difference in the Kachina Dancer and a Rainbow Man? Thanks for any information. I love learning! I have also been told it was dated to the 60's or 70's dose that sound about right. I would think it would be older. I was also told the dancer was made up of onyx, turquoise, and two other stones. I don't know the maroon colored one and the pearl looking dress.
I thought it was enameling, but those are stones: onyx, MOP, turquoise and perhaps coral. The colors are right for Rainbow Man.
http://www.durangosilver.com/zuni_rainbow_man_pin_2601_prd1.htm
It's the thing all collectors dread, I think, buying something that's fake, or selling something that's real. My third dread is passing on buying something that turns out to be valuable. I've learned to think to myself, well, there's plenty more stuff in the world, lol. :) Nice necklace! :)
katherine - my gold ring will never leave my hand unless my finger goes with it... LOL! I have bought my share of "duds", but things like that ring make up for it. :-)
sade - this necklace was meant to be yours!!
Very nice, and WOW!
The dancer figures give the necklace a cute look.