A large oval geometric inlaid multi-stone silver ring. The ring has a very intricately cut geometric inlaid pattern comprised of a number of piece os Mother of Pearl, Turquoise, Onyx and coral. All pieced together, they combine to make this stunning and very Native American design. The design is that of the Zuni Native American tribe, and was made by a jeweller from this tribe.
The Zuni tribe, now located in Northwestern New Mexico, was the second Native American group to learn Mexican silversmithing techniques. Navajo artist Atsidi Chon initially taught the art to a member of the Zuni tribe. Their artisans refined the Navajo 'cluster work' technique, characterized by a series of shaped stones set into various bezel settings. This 'cluster work' later evolved into the more intricate petit point and needlepoint styles.
A variety of bold and colourful stones are cemented into channels created by soldering pieces of silver to a backing plate. The stones are then polished flat, resulting in multicolored designs with veins of silver running through them. The ring is signed with the makers mark engraved into the back the inside. The maker is not known, but the quality is that of a very talented and skilled artist. The ring is a size 10.75. This ring, and any other can be sized to any required size.