AUGUSTINE AND ROSALIE PINTO MUDHEAD RING

ZUNI JEWELRY ARTISTS

CIRCA~1960

HALLMARK "ARP" ABOVE "ZUNI NM"

SIZE 10

A stunning and beautiful piece of Native American history and wearable, collectible art.  In excellent condition.

According to my research, Augustine and Rosalie Pinto were the last of the great ZunI Silversmiths who worked by hand without the use of electricity. They specialized in Mosaic Inlay and began producing jewelry in the 1950s and worked into the 1970s.  Using very fine files to shape and hand fit each piece, the artists used turquoise and coral as their primary gemstones, often adding Mother of Pearl.  The quality of the artists' mosaic inlay on this piece is outstanding. Most lapidary inlay was and still is polished flat, whereas theirs was done in three dimensions, with each gem in the design rising out of the setting.  

The Mudhead is a creation figure and this coral one is set in golden brown Tortoise Shell.  Tortoise are a protected species and their shells can no longer be used in jewelry.  This piece was made prior to that prohibition, and as such, presents no ownership problem.  It adds considerably to the ring's beauty, rarity and value.  Information I gathered says the fact that tortoise shell was used dates the piece as a very early Pinto, and among the few pieces they produced with this background. After they began producing, tortoise became endangered and protected and the Pintos switched to using Jet for the background which they used for most of their production. It is rare to see these tortoise shell pieces with this ornate design in this spectacular condition.

Shipping, Insurance and Confirmation Signature included.

Comes from a smoke free home.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Thank you for looking!