Vintage Zuni
Sterling Silver Turquoise Needlepoint Petit Point Cluster Brooch 15g
As imaged.
No Markings on
back.
·
This is a beautiful piece. Based on the construction and design.
Zuni Petit Point or Needlepoint Turquoise Brooch, likely made of
sterling silver.
The Zuni Pueblo artists are world-renowned for this specific
style of lapidary work, which involves hand-cutting small, uniform stones and
setting them into intricate clusters.
- Style: Petit Point
(referring to the rounder/teardrop stones in the center) and Needlepoint
(the thin, elongated "needle" shaped stones radiating outward).
- Design: A "Sun
face" or "Rosette" cluster. This circular layout is a
classic Native American motif.
- Materials: Sleeping Beauty
or Robin’s Egg Turquoise set in silver sawtooth bezels. The
"rope" or twisted wire detail between the center and the outer
row is a traditional Navajo and Zuni embellishment.
- Measurements: Based on the
penny for scale, the brooch is approximately 1.5 inches in
diameter.
- Weight: 15 grams,
which is a solid weight for a piece of this size.
- The Pin Back:
The "C-clasp" or safety catch, and the hinge style suggest this
could be a mid-century piece (roughly 1950s–1970s).
- Hallmarks:
There are no visible maker's marks or silver purity stamps (like
"Sterling" or ".925") on the back. This is very common
for older Native American jewelry, which was often unsigned but crafted
from high-quality coin or sterling silver.
- Patina:
There is a significant amount of natural oxidation (the dark tarnishing).
For resale or collecting, many prefer this original "desert
patina," so you may want to avoid heavy polishing.
Vintage
Zuni," "Petit Point," "Needlepoint," "Sterling
Silver," and "Native American Cluster Brooch."