Puebloan. A Silver Zuni Inlay Kachina Jar C.1950

(Silver). Vintage. A silver jar with turquoise, red coral, mother of pearl, and other various gemstones. The lid of the jar is a hollow kachina mask with feather details on the top of the head and rain clouds on the cheeks. The bottom of the lid bears a circular inlay of various gemstones including turquoise, mother of pearl and coral. The neck of the jar bears smooth and engraved patterns common in Puebloan culture and art, with a deep blue triangle detailing. The body of the jar features four engraved kachina masks on a pebbled background with various patterns throughout with red coral and turquoise details. The foot of the jar bears an irregular quadrilateral of inlaid gemstones within a circular, dark purple gemstone base. The edge of the foot is marked “LCC”, “STERLING” and “93”. The maker of the jar is unknown. The interior of the jar is textured. Lid measuring 38.5mm (w) x 49.23mm (h). Jar measuring 90.15mm (w) x 76.02mm (h). Weighing 790.95 grams. Light patina and all stones intact.A unique decorative artefact in overall extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Puebloans (or Pueblo peoples) consist of several indigenous peoples in the Southwestern United States who share common religious, cultural, material and agricultural practices. The word “Pueblo” means village in Spanish and in the present day there are over 100 Pueblos that are still inhabited. Pueblo communities exist in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas, as well as along the Rio Grande and Colorado Rivers. Navajo, Hopi, Twea and Zuni peoples fall under the Pueblo umbrella.

Kachinas are spirit beings in Puebloan culture. Kachinas have three different aspects: the first is the supernatural being, the second is are kachina dancers and the third are kachina dolls. They are personifications of things in the real world or spirits and they can represent anything from the cosmos to natural phenomenon to animals and other concepts.

Inlay is a type of stonework where the stones are cut to fit against one another to form a pattern or design. Turquoise, mother of pearl, coral, and jet stone are very common materials used in Zuni inlay pieces. There is evidence that suggests that Lanyade was the first Zuni to learn silversmithing around 1872. Lanyade taught silversmithing to other men in his village and then travelled to the Hopi and taught them as well. Both men and women engaged in lapidary and silversmithing in the 20th century and continue to do so today.