Turtle Pendant with Corn Overlay Motif

The silhouette of this Hopi-crafted pendant is a stylized turtle, featuring a perfectly oval shell and four rectangular, L-shaped legs that extend outward at right angles. The head is a small diamond shape and features cut-ousts for the eyes. A detailed cornstalk landscape in the overlay technique has been cut into the round center of the shell. Figures in the recessed areas are created using the Hopi Overlay technique, where a top layer with a cut-out design is soldered to a solid base plate. Before the bottom silver plate is joined, a meticulous technique called "matting" is used to create tiny, intentional indentations (seen as tiny etches), catching light from within the recess and adding depth to the design.

Measures 1 1/2" x 1 1/4" at the widest with a 6mm bail.