Zuni attr Joe Zunie Bolo Pow Wow Dancer Mosaic Inlay Coral Turquoise MOP 1957-67

Description

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I'm offering a rare, unsigned bolo in combination of channel and mosaic inlay by Joe Zunie in the form of a very rare design of his, of a pow wow dancer. This piece was recognized by his son, Willie, as a piece that he thought Joe made, so I'm making the attribution based on his identification of the piece as very likely having been made by his father. Ernie Bulow interviewed Willie and he said he thought that Joe made it. The children don't sit at their father's benches all day but Willie said he believed he did recognize this one as his father's work.  It is certainly a great old Zuni piece made of natural stones and it has many elements that Joe Zunie used. Of course if there are other suggestions as to the artist I'm always open to exploring. This bolo contains several elements of Joe Zunie's work that I recognized but some of it seems to be unique, which makes this a rare and special example of some importance. This is a piece that looks better in person than in pictures. In the pictures you can see the magnification of flaws. I promise that in real life you will not see the flaws. It's a really gorgeous, very compelling, bolo!
I love the bells around the ankles and the carved anklets, made not only as Eddie Beyuka made them, but there are documented examples of Joe Zunie pieces with bells on the ankles, too. The legs, arms and face are a lovely pink shell. There is brown natural shell used for the hair and as a breast plate? or necklace on the design on the chest area along with natural coral and turquoise. The feathered pieces that the dancer carries are just wonderful, made of coral and turquoise and jet. The one in the left hand contains a well documented design that Joe Zunie has often used in his pieces. I haven't seen it done by any other artist but Joe Zunie. This is an important detail which confirms the attribution to Joe Zunie.
Here is a Copy and Paste from the email Ernie Bulow sent me about this piece on 4/27/13, "I showed pictures of the two dancer bolos--pow-wow and buffalo--to Willard Zuni and he said either one might have been made by Joe.  I was a little sceptical, but he was sure he recalled the pow-wow figure.  I think it is at least Zuni made." Ernie Bulow provided permission that I use that interview with Joe Zunie's son, in this listing. This listing is for the pow-wow dancer that Joe Zunie's son, Willie, said he was sure he remembered his father making. So I only listed this piece after obtaining that information from Mr. Bulow.
There is a lot more detail in this bolo than you can imagine and it's all very beautiful. There is dimensionality too, with larger rounded feathers on the round hoops being carried, also dimensionality on the legs and arms and face, and on the shell for the hair but other inlay is flush. So this piece has considerable movement. My heart goes out to it the more I look at it and the more I wear it. It's a delightful and joyful figure and it's large. It's about 3-3/8" high and about 2-3/8" wide. The closure is a Bennett C31, dating it to between 1957 and 1967. The tips are the nice large hand made ones, 2-7/8" high, a great size and weight for the bolo aesthetically and they are also in great shape. The tie is flexible and also in excellent vintage condition. It measures 38" end to end with the tips included. Nothing has been replaced or repaired and nothing needs replacement or repair. There's natural coral, turquoise, brown shell, pink shell, white shell and jet. The face has lightly etched features and as I mentioned, the anklets have deep vertical etching.
Joe Zunie is one of the really great Zuni silversmiths whose work is well recognized and appears in the best museums and galleries. And of course, the books that discuss Zuni jewelry. He has a page in Bell's Volume 1, 1970. Take a look, page 70, included above. You can see some bells  on the ankles there, but not as many as in this piece and also the vertically etched anklets also are seen on the Bell example. This is a rare form by him and a spectacular find. It's an important piece, suitable for any collection and museum worthy. I personally wear it often, and with pride. I think you will enjoy it as much as I.
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When I include pages from published books in my listings it is in accordance with Fair Use Law, which permits the use of source material for discussion, reference, education and criticism.
Attributions on many of the old pieces of Native American jewelry are sometimes a moving target. All the books have errors, so in addition to counterchecking, I have developed some expertise over the years and I do care about getting it right, so as more information comes to light I update my listings and also get in touch with my previous buyers, to inform them of any changes in attributions. I am sincerely committed to ongoing accuracy.
Everything I sell comes from my personal collection or is something that I would include in my personal collection. Most pieces are museum worthy and gallery suitable, sold to you at great pricing. I vet every item carefully for quality and condition, and offer you the best. I want you to be able to rely on me for top quality, superb items that are often unique and rare examples of old antique vintage southwest, indian, native american and fine gold and gemstones, whether you're starting a collection or adding to one, or want something great to wear or gift. My goal is that all my buyers are delighted, that my special pieces find the right homes.