Vintage needle point squash blossom- Zuni 169

Zuni Squash Blossom. Circa 1970. Set in solid sterling silver and genuine turquoise. The needle point style of this squash blossom necklace is very traditional to the Zuni tribe. Often crafted by by placing each piece of turquoise on small stick or piece of wood and then sanding each stone to a "needlepoint" at each end. Measuring 15" in length, with 14 blossoms and a Naja. Each blossom has 13 stones per, and the Naja measuring 2" x 2" with 58 stones.The matching earrings make it a perfect set. Zuni Jewelry: Combining many stones into one piece makes some of the most beautiful and exciting Native American jewelry. Depending on how the stones are cut, this style of combining stones can be called Cluster-Work, Needle Point, Petit Point and Snake Eyes. These four styles emerged in the early 1920’s-1940’s and are primarily made by the Zuni Tribe, although some Navajos will make similar designs. These styles have a feminine quality to them, as the stones are set in small and elegant settings. Needle Point Needle point Jewelry is a very elegant style that emerged in Zuni jewelry in the 1940’s. It is among some of the most labor-intensive jewelry to make. Made by both Navajo and Zuni artist, this style is defined as a small sliver of stone that are pointed on both ends.