Exquisitive silver butterfly with meticulous creative stampwork. The body measures 3 1/4" from the cleverly made probosciss "bail" (for hanging from a necklace) to the tips of its back wings. The front wing span is 2 9/16". With the curved antenae overall, dimensions are increased to 3 15/16" height X 3 1/8" across. A gorgeous oval of natural turquoise stone is bezel set for the "thorax".
The color is a deep aqua blue with golden to charcoal color matrix (some natural pits being filled with jeweler's filings for a smooth surface without cutting away any more previous material).
The Anglo artist marked this clever work with an equally smart little spider with an "E" on its abdomen. There is a long pin with a safety clasp across the top wings, so this beauty can be worn as a brooch or a pendant.
Butterflies are symbols of new life--an ideal accent for Spring!
Description | Exquisitive silver butterfly with meticulous creative stampwork. The body measures 3 1/4" from the cleverly made probosciss "bail" (for hanging from a necklace) to the tips of its back wings. The front wing span is 2 9/16". With the curved antenae overall, dimensions are increased to 3 15/16" height X 3 1/8" across. A gorgeous oval of natural turquoise stone is bezel set for the "thorax". The color is a deep aqua blue with golden to charcoal color matrix (some natural pits being filled with jeweler's filings for a smooth surface without cutting away any more previous material). The Anglo artist marked this clever work with an equally smart little spider with an "E" on its abdomen. There is a long pin with a safety clasp across the top wings, so this beauty can be worn as a brooch or a pendant. Butterflies are symbols of new life--an ideal accent for Spring! |
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About the Artist | Joe Eby is from New Mexico. An Anglo jeweler who employs traditional stamping on his silver insect pins. He grew up on the Navajo reservation, which is where he was exposed to their jewelry making techniques. |
Medium | Sterling silver and natural turquoise |
Size | Overall it measures 3 15/16" in length X 3 1/8" width. Oval-shaped turquoise cabochon measures 7/8" height X 1/2" across. |
Signed | Artist's stamped hallmark is on the back of the pin/ pendant. It consists of a bee hosting a large E immediately below. |
Date of creation | Mid to later 20th century |
Condition | Excellent |
Turquoise | Natural turquoise |
Provenance | Consigned by an Arizona jewelry collector cc |