VERY RARE NATIVE AMERICAN STERLING SILVER & TURQUOISE STONES CROSS. Even though this piece in not marked, I believe it to be an early Horace Iule Zuni piece. Perhaps Horace Iule did not sign his earlier pieces? In my research, I found several pieces stating they were made by Horace Iule, but they were not signed. Or this may be a different artist altogether. Please see other Native American Jewelry in my store. TESTED STERLING CROSS & CHAIN (see photos). If this piece is an Iule piece, here’s an Insert from Kennedy Museum of Art. Horace Iule (Aiuli) c. As early as 1944, when John Adair’s groundbreaking study of Southwest Native American silverworking titled The Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths was published, Horace Iule had achieved a level of success that enabled him to rely upon his craft for his livelihood. Identified by Adair as “one of the two or three best artisans in the pueblo, ” Iule taught silversmithing at Zuni’s government-funded day school, thus influencing an entire generation of silverworkers. A third-generation silversmith whose grandfather Hatsetsenane (or Sneezing Man) was, according to Adair, “one of the first generation of Zuni smiths, ” Iule initially trained as a blacksmith at the Phoenix Indian School. Iule learned silversmithing from his father after completing his education and returning to the pueblo in 1924. Horace worked with his wife Lupe Iule, who was from San Felipe Pueblo. They were married in 1933, and had six children: Ruby, Lupe, Cecilia, Robert, Barney, and Phillip. Known for his mastery of silvercasting, Horace Iule was one of the first Zunis to produce the mythological Knife-Wing figure in silver. He is best known today for his castwork crosses. Iule taught casting to his daughter Lupe Iule and her husband George Leekity, and they still produce cast crosses from Horace’s original designs. When George and Lupe do their own work, they stamp it Leekity. ” When they use Horace’s molds, they stamp the pieces with “Iule. Horace’s sons Barney and Philip also do casting, as does Lupe’s daughter Rosella. In the early 20. Century, it was common in nearby Gallup, N. For traders to commission native silversmiths to make jewelry. Traders would supply some materials, and then only pay Native American artists in credit. Iule didn’t like that arrangement. He traveled to Gallup, N. Iule taught his wife Lupe silversmithing and together their work became highly sought by collectors. Historians credit Iule with being the first Zuni artist to put the Knifewing (half man, half eagle spirit) design to silver. He worked into the 1970s and passed away in 1978. Horace’s art lives on in the generations of Native American artists he inspired and taught including those of his children: Wilbur Iule, Ruby Iule, Lupe LeeKity, Cecilia Iule, Robert Iule, Barney Iule, and Phillip Iule. Some of his other students include: son-in-law George Leekity, cousins Raymond Watson & Jerry Watson, David Tsikewa, Okweene Neese, Benny Hamona, Louie Waseta, Jack Weekoty, Annie Gasper, and his Zuni Day School students. A little over 2 wide. 1.559 ounces overall with chain. 1.329 ounces without chain. Condition: The very first stone at the top of the Cross appears to have a crack going through it and the side looks like a piece cracked off. A Jeweler can easily fit another stone in it–I cleaned it a little with Silver Polish, but still n eeds cleaning and/or servicing. Any defects not mentioned but visible in the pictures will be considered as “described”. PLEASE let me know if you need to get it sooner.
