Three Nesting Strand Fetish Necklace
Quam George Cheechee and Andrew
- Savvy Price $4,500.00
- Gallery Price $5,275.00
- Title
- Three Nesting Strand Fetish Necklace
- Artist
- Quam George Cheechee and Andrew
- Medium
- Abalone, gold lip, white pearl, spotted olivella, spiney oyster, serpentine, jet, turquoise
- Size
- One strand measures 25" in length. The next measures 27" in length and the third is 29" in length. Adding the 1 clasp, the necklace is 30 in overall length.
- Date of creation
- Late 1960's
- Condition
- Excellent
- Turquoise
- Natural
- Provenance
- From a Texas collector of fine Native American jewelry LA-2
- About The Three Nesting Strand Fetish Necklace
Beyond exquisite! The 82 flawless birds and one bear are the work of late Zu?i artists, George Halloo Cheechee and Andrew Emerson Quam. The more stylized spread wing birds are the creation of Mr. Quam. Two of the birds, one in jet by Mr. Cheechee and one of abalone by Andrew Quam, have eyes made of hand-cut tiny pieces of blue turuqoise! Amidst this gregarious flock of birds has wandered a sweet little green serpentine bear with eyes made of jet. These very happy creatures are "born" on a variety of shells--abalone, gold lip, white pearl, spotted olivella and spiney oyster. The single jet bird and little serpentine bear stand out, but quietly, in the surrounding "forest" of olive shell heishi upon which birds of every warm earthen hue perch. The materials are so carefully studied that each form utilizes the natural color variation in each material, to lifelife advantage, producing canaries, two-toned and speckled sparrows, finches and doves. Often the markings of the birds are defined by the artist's use of a shell's curve. Just look at how many birds have beautifully defined beaks of contrasting color!!! It is easy to imagine the joyful sound such a gathering of live creatures would make when looking at this true work of art--and this one, you can wear!!!
- About Quam George Cheechee and Andrew
- Also referred to as George Haloo Cheechee or George Chee Chee Haloo), this Zuni jeweler is best known for his bird fetish necklaces. Songbirds are his favorite type of birds, using turquoise, coral, mother of pearl and shell. "For over four decades, George Halloo Cheechee was a respected jeweler and fetish carver. His songbirds are animated with their heads in various positions. He strung bird fetishes with shell heishi to make necklaces. He mixed different colors in multiple strands." American Indian Jewelry I 1,200 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf Andrew Emerson Quam is George's nephew, and is well recognized as a significant carver of fetishes.
- Cultures
- Medium
- Subject
- Keywords