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🤍 VINTAGE ZUNI STERLING SILVER & MOTHER-OF-PEARL FISH-SCALE INLAY BROOCH 🤍
An exceptional vintage handmade Zuni sterling silver brooch featuring an intricate mosaic of hand-cut mother-of-pearl arranged in the traditional overlapping fish-scale inlay style.
Measuring approximately 46.95 mm / 1.848 inches in diameter and weighing an impressive 26.57 grams / 0.937 ounces, this is an unusually substantial example whose quality and craftsmanship are immediately apparent when held.
The beautifully domed face features individually shaped sections of natural mother-of-pearl fitted into narrow silver channels. In changing light, the shell reveals luminous white, cream, blush pink, lavender, pale blue, subtle green and flashes of rainbow iridescence.
The brooch is unsigned, and no specific artist attribution is being NANCY ELBY COLLECTION PROVENANCE
I acquired this brooch from an individual in Phoenix, Arizona, who obtained it from the late Nancy Elby.
Nancy Elby was a longtime figure in the American Indian art, Southwestern antiques and Western collecting community. Based in Phoenix, she exhibited under the name “The Good Stuff” at the High Noon Western Americana show and was also an exhibitor at the prestigious Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art Show in Santa Fe, an event bringing together established dealers and galleries specializing in historic Native American and ethnographic material.
The brooch is being offered with its Nancy Elby collection history intact:
Nancy Elby → Phoenix individual → current owner
This provenance refers specifically to the brooch’s prior ownership and collection history. It is not being used to claim a particular maker, artist or date of ZUNI FISH-SCALE INLAY & HANDMADE CONSTRUCTION
The brooch features the distinctive technique commonly known as fish-scale inlay, in which individually cut pieces are arranged in a flowing, overlapping pattern reminiscent of scales.
Numerous curved sections of mother-of-pearl have been carefully shaped and fitted into narrow silver channels, creating an intricate mosaic across the deeply domed face.
Subtle variations in the shape, proportions and fitting of the individual pieces reflect the handmade nature of the work rather than modern mechanical uniformity.
The substantial domed profile terminates in a smooth silver perimeter. The reverse features a broad silver backplate with a separately applied hinge, long straight pin stem and safety catch.
The pin mechanism remains fully functional, opening, closing and securing impeccably.
Fine filing marks visible on portions of the mother-of-pearl are consistent with the original process of shaping and finishing the shell flush with the surrounding silver channels. Occasional narrow spaces and fitting irregularities are likewise characteristics of the handmade construction, not evidence of missing inlay or impact damage.
The brooch is unsigned, and no specific maker attribution is being EXCEPTIONALLY SUBSTANTIAL — 26.57 GRAMS
One of the most remarkable characteristics of this brooch is its weight.
At 26.57 grams / 0.937 ounces, it has an unusually substantial feel for a brooch measuring less than two inches in diameter.
Its broad silver backplate, deeply domed construction and extensive hand-fitted inlay give the piece a physical presence that photographs alone cannot fully STERLING SILVER — JSP TESTED
The brooch is unmarked; however, I personally performed a non-invasive JSP scratch-stone silver acid test, which produced a strong reaction consistent with sterling silver.
A small amount of metal was transferred from an inconspicuous area of the brooch onto a JSP testing stone. Silver-testing acid was then applied exclusively to the transferred metal streak on the testing stone.
No acid touched the brooch at any time.
Upon contact with the testing solution, the transferred metal produced an immediate blood-red reaction. The reaction remained blood red throughout the entire five-minute period I observed it before the test was discarded.
Based upon this immediate and persistent JSP scratch-stone test reaction, I am identifying the brooch as sterling silver.
The brooch is unmarked and has not been professionally XRF or laboratory tested; the sterling identification is based upon the JSP scratch-stone testing described MEASUREMENTS & WEIGHT
• Diameter: approx. 46.95 mm / 1.848 inches
• Weight: approx. 26.57 grams / 0.937 ounces
A vintage 1934 Mercury dime is shown in several photographs as a familiar visual reference for scale only.
The dime is not included in the sale.
All measurements are CONDITION
Excellent vintage pre-owned condition, particularly impressive for a handmade piece that has survived for decades.
The mother-of-pearl remains beautifully lustrous and securely fitted, with no observed loose or missing pieces or impact damage. Its natural iridescence is exceptionally attractive, displaying wonderful variations in color according to lighting and viewing angle.
Fine linear marks visible under extreme magnification are consistent with original hand filing and finishing of the shell flush with the silver channels. Small fitting irregularities and occasional narrow spaces are also characteristics of the handmade construction rather than missing material.
The sterling silver retains a beautiful natural luster and polish with only very mild patina. Fine surface and construction marks consistent with hand fabrication, age and careful handling remain visible.
The reverse is exceptionally clean, and the pin assembly remains intact. The long pin stem is straight and sharp, while the hinge and safety catch open, close and secure impeccably.
Overall, this appears to have been a very well cherished piece throughout its life.
Nothing has been intentionally concealed in the photography. Extreme close-ups have been included so prospective buyers can examine the inlay, silverwork, original fabrication details, reverse, pin mechanism and overall condition.
Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the PHOTOGRAPHY & NATURAL MOTHER-OF-PEARL COLOR
All photographs were taken outdoors between approximately 5–6 PM under sunny skies, primarily in open shade and from different locations and viewing angles.
Natural mother-of-pearl is highly responsive to light. Depending upon the angle and illumination, individual sections shift between luminous white, cream, blush pink, lavender, pale blue, subtle green and rainbow iridescence. The same section may therefore appear noticeably different between photographs.
Extreme macro photographs magnify original filing marks, handmade fitting irregularities and tiny surface characteristics considerably beyond their appearance to the unaided eye.
Color, depth, saturation, brightness and contrast may vary somewhat according to screen settings and individual devices.
The colors of the brooch and mother-of-pearl have not been digitally altered in any way.
Additional photographs or video are gladly available upon SHIPPING
• Ships same or next business day
• FREE USPS Ground Advantage within the United States
• Fully insured with tracking
• Carefully and securely packaged
• Ships in a sturdy cardboard box — never a bubble INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
• FREE through International Shipping
OR
• USPS Priority Mail International
• Flat rate: $48.95
• Insurance and tracking included
Buyer is responsible for any customs duties, VAT, brokerage fees, tariffs, taxes or other import charges imposed by their OFFERS & RETURNS
All serious offers considered.
All sales are final unless the item has been grossly beautiful and unusually substantial vintage handmade Zuni sterling silver brooch combining luminous natural mother-of-pearl with the flowing geometry of traditional fish-scale inlay.
Its impressive 26.57-gram weight, deeply domed construction, intricate hand-fitted shell work and exceptionally well-preserved condition make it a particularly compelling example of vintage Southwestern jewelry.
Its collection history—from Nancy Elby, to a Phoenix collector, and ultimately to the current owner—adds another fascinating chapter to this remarkable surviving piece. 🤍🪶
