“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way—things I had no words for.”— Georgia O’Keeffe

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Jonathan Beyuka (1953–) comes from a strong lineage of Zuni "royalty," so to speak. Raised in a household surrounded by artisans and traditional Zuni work, he grew up immersed in the techniques and stories of his people. Living among extended family who practiced the art every day, it was nearly impossible to escape the influence and discipline of Zuni mosaic inlay, which quietly shaped his eye and skill from an early age.

Jonathan just happens to be the son of the highly sought-after Edward Beyuka. (AKA: Eddie) He collaborated closely with his late father, whose long and distinguished career in figural inlay, silver, and gold work extended from 1951 to around 2000. (To see Edward Beyuka’s work, I do have an incredible bolo tie he made that is listed under both “Woman’s Jewelry (Concho Belt’s, Accessories, Bolos, etc in the drop down) or click on “Men’s Jewelry” & then click on “Bolo Ties” in the drop down)

The Beyuka family represents one of the most significant Zuni inlay and mosaic silversmithing lineages of the second half of the twentieth century. The Sr. Beyuka specialized in large, intricately mosaic-inlaid bracelets and striking bolos, and he served as the registered agent for the Zuni Craftsmen Cooperative Association (ZCCA). Jonathan’s close collaboration with his father ties this second generation directly to the institutional foundations and ongoing legacy of Zuni silversmithing organization. Jonathan is known in the industry for his Ceremonial Dancers & Kachinas that are done in mosaic form.

THE HOPI SNAKE DANCE:

This ceremony is performed by members of the Snake and Antelope clans to pray for rain, fertility, and agricultural harmony. Dancers handle actual live snakes—including rattlesnakes—carrying them in their hands and sometimes in their mouths before releasing them into the fields, where the snakes are believed to carry prayers to the underworld and help ensure the land’s renewal.

THE PIN/PENDANT:

Designed with impeccable detailing, Jonathan created this to be so perfect you would think you’re at the Zuni Pueblo witnessing the Snake Dance itself. It is truly a piece of art, and instead of using paints, paint brushes, and a canvas, Jonathan uses our earth’s most colorful rocks and shells to “paint” this dancer, bringing culture, color, and workmanship together in a single, stunning creation of “Lapidary” art!

From the feathers crowning his head to his masked face with eyes of turquoise peeking through, to his neck draped in what appears to be a turquoise-beaded “Breastplate” style necklace, arms and legs of Mother of Pearl shell and then wearing cuffs of coral & turquoise, his incredibly designed moccasins, are all what help to contribute to the “Snake Dancer” coming to life.

While some of the materials lay ‘flush’, others however lay raised.. All the materials are laid in “ONE” solid bezel. (See backside construction) The snake itself is made of sterling & has a visual appearance as if’s it’s quite the length! (see photos)

WEARABLE OPTIONS:

This can be worn as a in OR a pendant & if worn as a pendant, the pin would have to be opened & then you can lift the shepherds hook away from the base (not soldered) with a pair of needle nose pliers so it can then be hooked onto your favorite beaded necklace. If you have a simple standard sterling chain, you would skip this step & slide it through the hook. The weight is not too too heavy, so If you wear it as a pin, you can pin this to just about anything, but I personally would use caution on any delicate fabrics.(See weight below)

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SPECIFICS:

ARTIST: Jonathan Beyuka

TRIBAL AFFILIATION: Zuni Pueblo, NM

THEME: Ceremonial Snake Dancer Pin OR Pendant

METAL: Sterling Silver (Tested)

WEIGHT: 21.7 Grams

SNAKE DANCER MEASUREMENT: 3" x 2" (Longest to widest Points)

MATERIALS: White Mother of Pearl Shell, (White, pink, yellow) Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, Pen Shell (?) Black Jet, Red Shell, Italian Coral, Pipestone Moccasin Tips

TECHNIQUE: Exquisite and Precise Lapidary Art-Mosaic Inlay

HALLMARK: J.BEYUKA (Although not stamped deep enough, it looks like the word ‘sterling’ sits above the name hallmark)

Comes Gift Boxed

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PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING:
*****To give you close up photos,pictures 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 this is, what you can do is , pull out a tape measure if you have one (or ruler) & compare to my given measurements above*****

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SIGNATURE REQUIREMENT:

Anything with this kind of price tag, will have a mandatory signature confirmation requirement & will come insured.(This is reflected in the shipping price) . If you're not home in the day & need it 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.