MUSEUM QUALITY ZUNI FETISH HESHI 8-STRAND NECKLACE

Description

MUSEUM QUALITY ZUNI FETISH HESHI 8-STRAND NECKLACE.  The necklace is vintage probably dating from the 1940s.  The necklace contains a menagerie of animals numbering approximately 150 hand-carved fetish figures.  The figures represent recognizable insects mammals, reptiles, birds and fish such as butterflies, foxes, bears, rabbits, dogs, squirrels, turtles, frogs, owls, roadrunners etc. Separating the figures are some 1150 handmade, conical-shaped, shell heshi.  The necklace contains a rare 8 strands that terminate in a heavy sterling silver clasp.  The 8 strands vary in length from approximately 26" at the bottom to about 17" in the interior with about 38" from the bottom to the end of the clasps.  Across the strands the fetishes are more or less arranged in bands of the same color.  Craftsmanship and detail are extraordinary.  I've seen a similar necklace in the Heard Museum in Phoenix which is attributed to Leekga Deyuse. This particular necklace is the cover photograph on the Summer 2005 issue of American Indian Art Magazine (last photo).  The main differences are that the Deyuse necklace has coral heshi and it is 5 strands instead of 8.  All-in-all this is a magnificent piece of rare Zuni jewelry.  Buyer pays shipping and insurance based on selling price.