sm Signed HORACE IULE Zuni CROSS CRUCIFIX PENDANT w/6 RED CORAL Sterling Silver

Description

Horace Iule Zuni
Sterling Silver Cross Pendant
with 6
Mediterranean
Red Coral
Dimensions
2.1" X 1.35"
7.3 grams = .24 Troy ounces
(all measurement are approximate)
Old Horace Cross
This wonderful Old Cross Pendant was made by Horace Iule. The date of his birth seems uncertain (perhaps 1901), but we know he he became active making jewelry in the 1924, after learning to be a blacksmith at The Phoenix Indian School. His career continued until the 1970's, which was also his final decade. He learned jewelry making from his father, who intern learned from his grandfather...
Horace Iule "rubbed elbows" with his noteworthy contemporaries and students. Much of their work is sometimes so similar that it could be difficult to distinguish the work of one from the other. He taught Dan Simplico and worked with Juan De Dios
(Dan Simplicio's uncle), and Juan Calavaza.
Juan died in 1970 or 1971 and of course taught his wife, the famous Effie Calavaza (b.1928) who started producing jewelry in the 1950's and is perhaps the most famous living Zuni Artist. If you were to go back in time to Zuni about to 90 years ago, you would find Horace Iule working using primitive tools with his friends and students. He was quite an innovator and is credited with being the first to use the the mythical Knifewing figure in jewelry making. That was in 1928. In 1932 the experts in the field started referring to him as, "the best in the tribe". I believe he was survived by half a dozen children, several of them noted jewelers in their own right.
His work is featured in many high end galleries and collections. It can also be found in all the major Native Jewelry catalogs and reference books. A few are listed below.
This is stamped with a hallmark on the reverse of the Cross. As you can see in the pictures, the "H IULE" Hallmark is not distinct. There is wear on the cross where the owner no doubt actually must have rubbed the lower part of the Cross between her finger and thumb enough over a span of years to erase part of the "H". What is left is a clear and distinct "IULE" and a bit of a murky "H". There are other members of the Iule family that used a similar Hallmark, but only one with a first initial that had parallel lines in the letter...that would be Horace. This appears to be many decades old as well.
With the 6 Red Coral and charming stamping, It is quite a little gem! Also, It is not marked Sterling Silver but is guaranteed to be Sterling Silver. I have found no defects like cracked or loose stones, noticeable scratches, etc. in the Cross. It is actually an enhancement that it shows the participation of the previous owner in wearing it. It is a bit like the charm of an antique that has seen and experience life over time. The 6 Coral and bezels are fine. Please, take the time to enlarge the pictures to see the 6 wonderful Coral, Bezels, and Stamping. I believe you will be pleased!
This Cross was i
ndividually cut and formed from Sterling Silver with a hand saw. This is a much more laborious process of fabricating than by making jewelry from "stock" parts of silver like sheet or wire.
This amazing old Iule Cross
is full of character and will be cherished by its new owner.
People who know will
compliment you and your taste in Zuni Jewelry.
Thanks!
Shipping anywhere in the USA is included, insurance is also included, of course...
Recommended Reference Books - This artist is referenced if there is a page # shown below
"AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY I" - Gregory Schaaf - page 187
"AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY II: A-L" - Gregory Schaaf- pages 263
"HALLMARKS OF THE SOUTHWEST"- Barton Wright - page 81
"THE LITTLE BOOK OF SOUTHWESTERN SILVER" - Billie Hougart - page 158
"ZUNI JEWELRY" - Theda and Michael Bassman - page
"ZUNI THE ART AND THE PEOPLE VOLUMES 1-3"- Barbara & Ed Bell- Volume 1-page 10, 14, 15
Inventory reference Buckle Cross HI