Zuni attr. Alonzo Hustito Pin Mosaic Inlay Stepped Horns Sun Kachina 1940-1950s

Description

Welcome!
Rare old Zuni mosaic inlay horned sun face kachina pin attributed to Alonzo Hustito..
.I'm offering for your consideration a fabulous very old Zuni pin dating back to the 1940s or 1950s. It was made by master stone/silversmith probably Alonzo Hustito who began producing in about 1930. This is a sacred kachina to the Zuni and is able to be used in jewelry because it is not a full figure.
The pin is made of unmarked coin (.900) or sterling (.925) silver, measures 1-1/4"H by 2"W. The pin shows some trivial wear on the stones and it is normal wear given the age of the pin and the fact the piece was used and loved. The pictures are magnified and when I wear this pin I don't find any of the wear visible. The piece is in excellent vintage, wearable and collectible condition. The pin is a real treasure. It consists of natural shells and stones which were hand ground and buffed to fit precisely in stone to stone inlay. The stones are very lush looking as if they were made of thick oil paint that was poured into place. This effect sometimes exists on the very old very fine pieces like this one.  This piece uses very iridescent mother of pearl with red abalone shell, blue gem turquoise and jet in a very appealing display and a rare form with the stepped horns on the horned Sun Kachina. Hand applied raindrops adorn the piece as well as twisted wire in two different forms. It is really a beautiful pin. The colors are soft and very rich, the design is aesthetically elegant!
This stunning Zuni pin was probably handcrafted by the renowned Alonzo Hustito of hand worked coin or sterling silver and mosaic inlay of two kinds of shell, jet, and turquoise. Alonzo Hustito is considered by some to be the best Zuni silversmith of all time. Alonzo Hustito was born on June 10, 1903 and died in 1989. He was bear clan head and dance chief for his kiva. He produced amazing jewelry from the 1930s to the 1980s. Shockingly, it is he who is credited as the originator of the Rainbow Man, Knifewing and Thunderbird. His son, Charles, has said that his parents worked together. They would put all the stones together, would grind them, shape them, and inlay them. They would shape out the form and his mother would put the pieces together while his father would create the housing for the bezel. They didn't have electricity and it was all done with a hand grinding wheel using oil lanterns. This pin was undoubtedly crafted in that manner.
The stepped sun face kachina figure is a powerful entity and should be special to wear. To own a piece by the renowned Alonzo Hustito is a privilege, so if you appreciate the great history of Native American Zuni art, I think you will treasure this spectacular piece in your collection and will wear it with pride. It's suitable for a man or a woman, wear on a hat, tie, lapel, handbag or a shirt or belt. It's just beautiful and would be a proud addition to any collection.
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