Pawn Jewelry- Zuni inlay butterfly pendant

Zuni hadcrafted inlay pendant.It features a butterfly with hand carved gold mother of pearl shell wings and cultured opal wing tips. The main body is inlayed with turquoise, lapis and coral. Highly detailed. It comes on a 18" 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: Sterling silver, yellow mother of pearl, lapis,turquoise & cultured opal

Tribe affiliation: Navajo

Time period: current 

Overall measurements of the mounting: 3/4" x 3/4"  (all measurements are approximate)