Zuni Thunderbird small pendant-Pawn Jewelry

1980's Zuni inlay thunderbird . A unique offering features a traditional thunderbird design inlayed with colored plastic and turquoise.  This type of jewelry was  known to be crafted in the 1970's during a time when materials were hard to source. The artists used left over pieces of plastic and crushed turquoise stones to create this jewelry, they show a vintage style not often seen. This is a small pendant that would be perfect for 18" silver chain. 

It comes attached to its original red pawn ticket.The term "pawn" refers to jewelry that has been pawned to brokers. The practice of pawning jewelry began in the early 1900s when Native Americans and traders would exchange jewelry for food and other necessities, it is still used today and is embedded in the Navajo culture. 

Material: Plastic, turquoise and silver 

Tribe affiliation: Zuni

Time period: 1980's

measurements: 1-1/4" x 1-1/4"