*** Kewa Pueblo Artist-WARREN NIETO-Ancestral Puebloan/Hohokam Inspired-Hand Carved Glycymeris Shell- Nacozari Turquoise - Ornamental Charm - Clam Shell Heishi Squash Blossom Style Necklace***
*** Kewa Pueblo Artist-WARREN NIETO-Ancestral Puebloan/Hohokam Inspired-Hand Carved Glycymeris Shell- Nacozari Turquoise - Ornamental Charm - Clam Shell Heishi Squash Blossom Style Necklace***
FIRM ON PRICE-SORRY BUT NO DISCOUNTS APPLY TO THIS ITEM
TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THIS NECKLACE, IT’S BEST TO KNOW ABOUT THE MATERIAL IN IT & THE HOHOKAM PEOPLE WHO USED IT:
THE HOHOKAM:
Unless you’re familiar with every American Native tribe throughout the southwest, most however have never heard of Arizona’s Hohokam people who lived in the North American Southwest which is now part of south-central Arizona, United States, and Sonora, Mexico. The reason most haven’t heard of them, is because they existed well before the arrival of Europeans, roughly dating from around 500 to 1450 CE. with cultural precursors possibly as early as 300 BCE! .The Hohokam culture declined around 1450 CE, and the reasons for their disappearance are not fully understood.
Most archaeologists either argue they emerged locally or in Mesoamerica, but were also influenced by the Northern Pueblo culture. One of the main & most intriguing things they were known for, was for the Hohokam's advanced irrigation systems which were the most advanced in North America at the time, with canals stretching for miles. They were also skilled farmers, cultivating crops like corn, beans, squash, and cotton, and developing extensive irrigation canals to water their fields. They were also highly skilled artisans, creating the most intricate shell/stone jewelry, along with pottery.
Hohokam artisans were skilled and prolific fabricators of various shell ornaments, including intricate and elaborate pendants, bangles, and detailed mosaics composed of both stone and shell. The production and widespread popularity of Glycymeris shell bracelets is considered a hallmark of Hohokam culture (Like the centerpiece of this necklace) and is found alongside other diagnostic artifacts, including red-on-buff potter.
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THE NECKLACE:
When the idea of recreating some of the ancient Ancestral Puebloan and pre-historic Hohokam jewelry first came to mind, there was truly no other artist I could trust more to bring this delicate vision to life with genuine authenticity and thoughtful care than Kewa Puebloan artist Warren Nieto. Because of Warren’s deep ancestral knowledge, whether derived from oral history or his intimate familiarity with designs worn by his ancestors and other tribal affiliations over many centuries, he immediately understood exactly what I was referring to. He shared my enthusiasm and, just as importantly, I was confident the work would be executed with the utmost respect, exceptional skill, and supported by his rich historical knowledge.
The majority of the materials in this necklace are designed from creamy white Glycymeris (Sweet Clam) Shell and striking teal-colored Nacozari Turquoise. Warren used the signature size 3-1/2” tall by 3-3/4” wide Hohokam shell for the centerpiece drop. This shell was then mosaic inlaid in its entirety with numerous small square and rectangular turquoise pieces that Warren meticulously cut and shaped himself. This particular size of shell was historically used by the ancient Hohokam people for their bangles and served as personal adornment.
Dangling in the center and connected by string is a partially mosaic inlaid symbolic hand, a powerful motif with many significant meanings such as friendship, healing, and strength, to name just a few. Also connected to the centerpiece by string — an authentic nod to how the ancient Ancestral Puebloan people connected pieces long before the invention of metal jump rings (For a closer look, please zoom in on photo 9 to appreciate the details.) — The clam shell heishi beads then alternate with 4 neckline charms.
To maintain the necklace’s historically faithful appearance and avoid anything that might suggest modern manufacture, Warren applied a carefully created “matte” finishing and adhered strictly to techniques and aesthetics true to the original timeline.The piece has the distinct appearance as if it were unearthed directly from the past.
Another part of the necklace that REALLY impresses me, is how Warren ingeniously came up with this brilliant idea for the necklace’s closure by taking a small bone for one end, then creating a complementary “T” shaped piece made of vibrant Spiny Oyster for the other end, to make his own original custom made toggle! (See photos) The bone couldn’t have been a better choice for the toggle, since the hole is already there!! Now, if that isn’t impressive workmanship and creativity, I truly don’t know what is!!!
And lastly, remarkably, no metal was used whatsoever in the design; instead, this exquisite necklace is entirely made using specialized techniques where “Lapidary Art” plays a crucial and important role. This art form highlights the extraordinary beauty and exceptional skill involved in carefully cutting and shaping every single material.
A NOTE: Although many pieces have sold since we started the series, be sure to check out Warren’s Ancestral Puebloan earrings & more Ancestral Puebloan/Hohokam necklaces!(A ultra gorgeous 5 strand Charm Necklace from the series can be found under “Necklaces”, whereas all the others are under this same “Necklace 2” category! Earrings are under the “Earrings 3” category!
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ALSO VIEW ALL PHOTOS,SINCE THEY PLAY A ROLE TO THE DESCRIPTION!
ANCESTRAL PUEBLO SERIES NECKLACE:
ARTIST: WARREN NIETO - MADE EXCLUSIVELY FOR PLATA de SANTA FE JEWELRY
TRIBAL AFFILIATION: KEWA VILLAGE-(SANTO DOMINGO PUEBLO)
WEARABLE LENGTH: 23” (MEASURED LAYING HORIZONTALLY-FROM SPINY OYSTER TOGGLE TO BONE-WITHOUT THE LENGTH OF THE CHARMS)
CENTERPIECE ALONE: 3.50” TALL X 3.75” WIDE
TOTAL LENGTH: ABOUT 26.5”
WEIGHT: 146 GRAMS (5.2 OUNCES)
ORNAMENTS SIZE: (CHARMS) SEE PHOTOS
MATERIALS: MATTE FINISHED NACOZARI TURQUOISE-CLAM SHELL-ABALONE (ON CHARM NEXT TO FROG) BONE-SPINY OYSTER-STRING
HEISHI CLAM SHELL BEAD SIZE: GRADUATES FROM AS LARGE AS 9 MM DOWN TO 6 MM ROUND
STRAND AMOUNT: 1
CLOSURE: WARREN’S ‘ORIGINAL” HAND MADE TOGGLE
HALLMARK: NONE AT THE MOMENT-I JUST MADE WARREN AWARE OF THIS JUST THIS MORNING WGHEN I NOTICED IT,SO WHEN WE HOOK UP ,WHICH WILL BE VERY SOON,IT WILL BE HALLMARKED!
COMES CAREFULLY BUBBLE WRAPPED INSIDE A GIFT BOX
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SIGNATURE REQUIREMENT:
Anything with a high price tag, will have a mandatory signature confirmation requirement (reflected in shipping price).. If you're not home in the day & need this shipped where it can be signed for,please change that in your "Ship To" section before I create the shipping label***I'm sorry if this may be an inconvenience, but I do not ship expensive pieces without one. This is for your safety & mine
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PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING:
I do not consider myself a 'professional photographer" but I do try my hardest to give you photos that are 'realistic" in color. Please realize that all monitors are different, so the materials can look more vivid (or duller) from one computer to the next.
To give you close up photos,pictures tend to make the item look much more larger & everything is more magnified than in actuality. So to get an accurate idea of how big this is, please either check it out being worn to get a rough idea (see photos) or you can pull out a tape measure & compare to my given measurements above.
