DELLA CASI APPA ... AN ICONIC NECKLACE c. 1929

Description

Offered....one of the major necklaces made by the "first lady" of Zuni jewelry making, Della Casi Appa, c. 1929. This one of a kind masterpiece consists of  twisted silver wire and Bisbee turquoise cabs, with chocolate matrix, formed into a heart shape and  soldered on to a hand hammered silver plate. There is also a beautiful drop in the center of the heart with a slightly larger Bisbee cab. As in many of this artist's creations, there is a turquoise and peyote button crest above the heart. There are 12 squash blossoms, each composed of multiple  hand filed and polished Bisbee turquoise cabs along with silver peyote buttons. There appear to be no cracks, breaks, or replacements of any of the turquoise. Not only is the silver work all done by this artist, but also all of the lapidary work was done by her.  The necklace measures 17" closed top to bottom. On the back of this naja one can see the I.D. number of the trading post from which we obtained the necklace in the late 1970's, purchased directly from the trader who owned the post and whose family established the post in the late 19th century.