Rare Masterpiece Zuni attr. ELLIOT QUALO Quail Inlay into Shell Navajo Bracelet

Description

Welcome.
Elliot Qualo, Zuni, had a brief but brilliant career. He was born in 1930 and made fabulous inlays until his death in the late 1970s. He created some of the very best mosaic inlay work in Zuni history. He is considered among the best and most innovative mid century makers of stone to stone inlay, a technique that requires great patience and skill, because all the individual stones must fit tightly against one another and within the background stone without gaps or glue or cement that shows and his work is usually immaculate. He was included in the Arizona Highways Magazine of 1074, pages 32 an 44 and in most important books about major Zuni artists. This piece is not signed by him and I believe like so many other Zuni artists, he created some plaques which were sold or traded to Navajo artists who did the silver work for those pieces. I have had a bolo of his with a qual inlaid into the same sort of shell as this, which was signed by him, a picture of which I'm including above, and on that basis I think Elliot Qualo probably did this inlaid quail but that a Navajo silversmith did the silver work on this fabulous bracelet.
CONDITION: Excellent vintage wearable and collectible.
MEASUREMENTS:
• internal length silver alone: 5-5/8", gap of 1-1/4", total 6-7/8"
• width: center c. 2-3/8" tapering to 9/16" at the terminals for comfort
• weight: substantial at 81.64grams
• unsigned inlay artist attributed to Elliot Qualo, Zuni
• signed silver artist, Navajo signed JCC or JOC or DC, so it's hard to read and unidentified
• not marked for silver content but it's sterling silver .925
SUMMARY: Such a beautiful bracelet. It is utterly superb, not only the quail inlay but also the silver work is exceptional. The foundation consists of two carinated wires on the outside and two twisted wires on the inside, nicely finished terminals and framing the plain bezel set plaque at the center is some gorgeous silver work, quite complex and very excellent. The bracelet is a treasure and highly collectible, an elegant statement. The plaque is very well protected with the silver, so I would and have been, wearing it every day. It's museum worthy, truly wonderful. I do have a matching ring now which I'll be listing eventually. Watch for it.
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Everything I sell comes from my personal collection or is something that I would include in my personal collection. Most pieces are museum worthy and gallery suitable, sold to you at great pricing. I vet every item carefully for quality and condition, and offer you the best. I want you to be able to rely on me for top quality, superb items that are often unique and rare examples of old antique vintage southwest, indian, native american and fine gold and gemstones, whether you're starting a collection or adding to one, or want something great to wear or gift. My goal is that all my buyers are delighted, that my special pieces find the right homes.