Rectangular Inlay Sterling Silver Pendant and Chain

Sterling silver sheet, mill rolled from ingot was used in the structural fabrication of this pendant, its bale and inlay accents.

Always incorporating the best materials available for his inlay work, Jesse's creations were always meticulous.  The cuts are precise in this particular design, fitting with a perfection standard for which Jesse was known.

An early contemporary expression, this pendant is straight forward, balanced and "clean".  It comes with a hand-made chain of half dome drawn sterling silver wire, an attractive compliment to this distinctive art to wear statement.

(1952-2024, Navajo/ Hopi)  Raised in New Mexico in the famous Navajo rug center of Two Gray Hills, Jesse learned early the perfection of the craft from watching the weavers and their pursuit of balance and technical perfection. 

Monongye assisted in the placing of historic and contemporary Native American jewelry in the permanent display at the Heard Museum. He also was the Artist in Residence at the Heard Museum during 1986-87, teaching and demonstrating the centuries old art of Navajo jewelry making.

Monongye's jewelry was featured in a number of group and private exhibitions and is represented in both corporate and private collections, including collections of many other artists. He won many awards at the major American Indian art shows throughout the Southwest.

Some of the major influences upon Monongye's work have been in varying degrees: Preston, his father, who he did not know until he was a grown man; his Hopi and Navajo background; (his grandfather being the much respected Hopi Elder David Monongya); his Navajo grandfather who taught him the respect of his environment and the old Navajo ways of discipline and the Beauty Way.