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Sterling silver squash blossom necklace with multi-stone sunface inlay
Frank and Elizabeth Vacit
- About The Sterling silver squash blossom necklace with multi-stone sunface inlay
Frank and Elizabeth Vacit made this remarkable inlay necklace.
Creating this design required "sweat" soldering two sheets of silver together--the top sheet having been saw cut with openings for the inlay and oxidized pattern on the naja crescent.
Sterling silver, mill rolled sheet was used in fabrication of the naja. There are 12 matching blossoms and 102 round 7 millimeter hand-made beads.
Each piece of inlay material was metriculously cut to fit precisely into each sunface overlay--to a depth of 1/2 millimeter. Looking closely, each piece of turquoise, coral, shell and jet is not exactly flush with the surrounding silver. They slightly pillow along the edges--indicating they were individually cut the depth of their setting spaces. Unlike many who did inlay, Frank and Elizabeth did not rely on grinding the material down to the silver surface.
Unbelieveable skill and patience were required, on top of the artistry evident in its design !
Savvy Price $3,800.00
Gallery Price $4,500.00
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| Description | Frank and Elizabeth Vacit made this remarkable inlay necklace. Creating this design required "sweat" soldering two sheets of silver together--the top sheet having been saw cut with openings for the inlay and oxidized pattern on the naja crescent. Sterling silver, mill rolled sheet was used in fabrication of the naja. There are 12 matching blossoms and 102 round 7 millimeter hand-made beads. Each piece of inlay material was metriculously cut to fit precisely into each sunface overlay--to a depth of 1/2 millimeter. Looking closely, each piece of turquoise, coral, shell and jet is not exactly flush with the surrounding silver. They slightly pillow along the edges--indicating they were individually cut the depth of their setting spaces. Unlike many who did inlay, Frank and Elizabeth did not rely on grinding the material down to the silver surface. Unbelieveable skill and patience were required, on top of the artistry evident in its design ! |
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| About the Artist | Both artists were from Zuni pueblo, Frank's dates are (1915-1999). Elizabeth Leekya Vacit (1919-2005). They worked together creating virtually everything for which Frank is frequently given sole credit. A 1940 government census listed Frank Vacit as an "unpaid farm worker" with an annual income of $180 from an unexplained "other income" question to which he replied "Yes". At the time he was living in the Leekya Deyuse household with Elizabeth, Leekya and Juanita's first born, whom he married. They worked at the same bench, Frank doing the silversmith and Elizabeth creating the inlay. By the 1930's, Elizabeth had already established a reputation as master inlay artist--having learned from her father since childhood. Continuing their life zt Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico, they produced both custom and tourist trade items for traders like C.G. Wallace, Old Man Vanderwagon and noted collector/ purveyors Shirley and Pat Kelsey. When Frank died, Elizabeth followed within six years. The beauty they created continues to life, bringing joy and amazement to all who see it and a few privileged to own a piece of their fine art. |
| Culture | American Indian, Zuni |
| Medium | Sterling silver, Blue Gem turquoise, Mediterranean coral, white pearl shell and jet |
| Troy ounces | 5.41 troy ounces |
| Size | Necklace is 24" lenght. Naja is 3 3/4" X 2 7/8", adding another 2" drop below the beads. Squash blossoms are 1 5/8" X 1 1/16". |
| Signed | No mark of any kind |
| Date of creation | 1950's |
| Condition | Excellent |
| Turquoise | Natural turquoise from the Blue Gem mine |
| Provenance | B Sch |
| Gram weight | 168.39 grams |
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Just received the painting today - WOW! Really outstanding, and the finest packaging for the price I've yet unwrapped!
Don & Brenda P. in California