Fine and early sandcast silver with bezel-set turquoise brooch attributed to, or in the style of, famous Zuni silversmith, Horace Iule (1901-1978). Unsigned. Circa 1940.

Beautifully cast and decorated with four hand-carved turquoise stones as the eyes, mouth, and body of the Knifewing God. Original, unpolished, darkened, tarnished patina to this heavy silver brooch.

Height : 2 1/2 "

Width : 1 7/8 "

Weight : 27.5 grams

CONDITION : Excellent condition with no damage or restoration. Not polished, it retains a darkened patina.

NOTES / REFERENCES : Horace Iule - Born in 1901 at Zuni Pueblo. Taught to make jewelry by his father, Horace Iule was known for his sandcast work, his channel inlay and cluster work as well as his crosses often adorned with set stones of turquoise or coral. He was a third generation Zuni jeweler, learning silversmithing from his father in 1924 after having learned blacksmithing at the Phoenix Indian School in the early 1920s. He is credited with being the first, in 1928, to create jewelry based on Knifewing, the Zuni spirit of the Zenith. Iule carved his sandcast molds out of stone. Horace Iule died in 1978.

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