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10 Strand Shell Heishi Necklace

Santo Domingo

View Full Size Image of 10 Strand Shell Heishi Necklace, Jewelry by Santo Domingo

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Savvy Price $985.00: Gallery Price $1,250.00; Add to Cart Add to my Bridal Registry

Title: 10 Strand Shell Heishi Necklace
Artist: Santo Domingo
Medium: Sterling silver and natural baby chocolate olivella shell
Size: 25" in length. Heishi measure 1.5 mm - 2.0 mm in diameter
Date of creation: 1960's
Condition: Excellent
Provenance: Northern Arizona collector MS; Quick Inquiry Email Friend

About The 10 Strand Shell Heishi Necklace

This very fine necklace created by an unknown Santo Domingo artist is not some refinished concoction from the Phillipines.

The shell cuts are very fine using the colors of each olive shell in a different and subtle way. The sun dapplied bands on either side of the necklace are gradual and have the soft edges of leaf shadows because spotted pieces of heishi are used to carefully transition from light to dark.

This work is the result of months of labor. When you love doing something, you don't measure time. As with all the very best Native American personal adornment, there is no limit to its tasteful wardrobe applications!

Shells represent water, abundance and prosperity because they comes from water creatures.

About Santo Domingo

The potters of Santo Domingo Pueblo in New Mexico are known for well-formed pottery decorated with dramatic stylized flora, often in combination with geometric designs.

Santo Domingo Pueblo also hosts jewelers with expertise in creating the finest heishi as well as shell overlay work. In the early years, some overlay work combined traditional turquoise, jet and shell with unorthodox modern materials such as poker chips and phonograph records.

Other Works By Santo Domingo: