TO UNDERSTAND THE EARRING DESIGN-IT’S IMPORTANT TO LEARN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ‘CHACO WINDOW”:

The term "Chaco Window" refers to a distinctive architectural feature found within the ancient Puebloan buildings of Chaco Canyon. It specifically denotes the precise alignment of certain windows or doorways in these structures with notable celestial events, such as solstices and lunar cycles. Although it is not a single, isolated window, this carefully planned architectural element holds considerable significance for multiple reasons:

1ST: It demonstrates the advanced astronomical knowledge possessed by the Ancestral Puebloans. The windows and doorways are aligned with solar and lunar azimuths, cardinal directions, and even the complex lunar standstill cycles, reflecting a highly sophisticated understanding of the sky and celestial movements centuries before modern astronomy.

2ND: The concept reveals the deeply intertwined nature of architecture and cosmology within Puebloan culture. The intentional integration of celestial alignments into the design of the buildings points to a profound spiritual and cultural relationship with the cosmos. Architecture was not merely functional but served as a medium to both represent and engage with the natural rhythms of the universe, underscoring the importance of astronomy in their way of life.

The window offers Insight into a complex and sophisticated calendar system by carefully tracking the movements of both the sun and moon over time, the Chacoan people were likely maintaining an accurate and detailed calendar. This calendar would have been essential not only for agricultural practices, such as planting and harvesting crops, but also for timing important ceremonial and ritual cycles that structured their society and spiritual life.

It is important to consider that the Chacoan people’s understanding and use of these celestial alignments may have differed significantly from modern scientific interpretations, and ongoing research continues to uncover new insights. Nevertheless, the presence, precision, and durability of these “Chaco Windows” remain a powerful testament to their remarkable ingenuity, profound observational skills, and deep spiritual connection to the cosmos.Chaco is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the southwest & dates as far back to the mid-9th to early 13th centuries, if not earlier.

THE EARRINGS:

These earrings were inspired by the ancient ancestral site of "Chaco Canyon" (New Mexico) and are apart of Kewa Puebloan artist Warren Nieto’s “ANCESTRAL PUEBLOAN SERIES”..

Keeping the design as authentically true to that ancient time period as possible, these earrings are carefully designed in a distinctive 3-tier, multi-shape design. Each tier is thoughtfully connected by way of durable string, reflecting the traditional methods used long ago. Before artists began utilizing metal jump rings to join elements together, this was the original technique practiced by the ancient Pueblo people, preserving both the functionality and cultural significance of their jewelry.(See photos)

The top and middle tiers both represent the iconic Chaco Window design. The top tier is made using vibrant orange spiny oyster, lending a striking contrast to the earrings.. These tiers are meticulously mosaic inlaid with teal green “Nacozari Sonoran” turquoise, showcasing Warren’s exceptional workmanship.

Except for the ear stem, there is literally no metal whatsoever in the design; instead, these earrings are entirely made using techniques where “Lapidary” plays a crucial and important role, highlighting the beauty and skill involved in cutting & shaping all the materials. And because they lack metal, allows them to be extremely comfortable on the ear lobe!

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ARTIST: WARREN NIETO MADE EXCLUSIVELY FOR PLATA DE SANTA FE JEWELRY

TRIBAL AFFILIATION: KEWA VILLAGE (SANTO DOMINGO PUEBLO)

MEASUREMENT: 2-3/4" X 1-1/8"

COMBINED WEIGHT: 24.5 GRAMS

MOSAIC INLAID ATOP OF: PEN SHELL

MATERIALS: NACOZARI SONORAN TURQUIOSE- SPINY OYSTER SHELL -PEN SHELL BACKING

METAL: STAINLESS EAR STEM

EAR STYLE: POSTS

TECHNIQUE: TOTALLY MADE BY HAND-LAPIDARY-MOSAIC INLAY

HALLMARK: "WN"-WITH 'KIVA STEPS"

COME GIFT BOXED

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PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING:

*****I do not consider myself a 'professional photographer" but I do try to give you photos that are 'realistic in color.. Please understand that all screen monitors are different, so the materials can look brighter (or duller) ,more intense or less intense from one computer/phone to the next.

In order to give you close up photos so I can provide you with all the detail, can tend to make the item look much more larger & everything is more magnified & exaggerated than in actuality. So to get an accurate idea of how big these are,please either check them out being worn to get a rough idea (photos) or you can pull out a tape measure & compare to my given measurements.