Components

*Green turquoise sea turtle carved by Zuni artist Lance Cheama
*Handmade glass beads by Karen Ovington
*Green turquoise and lapis beads
*Coral, 15/0 seed beads, center bead is "old Nepali" of unknown composition
*Sterling setting, spacers, findings, French wires
*Necklace is signed, numbered, dated

Length: 20.5" - 25" (52 cm - 64 cm) Shown on model at shortest length
Centerpiece length: 5" (12.5 cm)
Weight: 5.2 oz

Earring drop Length:  1" (2.5 cm)
Earring weight: 1.7 gm ea (a nickel weighs about 5 gm)

Item #620 - Sold

Turquoise Sea Turtle Necklace

Turquoise Sea Turtle Necklace
Turquoise Sea Turtle Necklace Detail
Turquoise Sea Turtle Necklace on model
Turquoise Sea Turtle Necklace
 Turquoise Sea Turtle Necklace
Hover to zoom, Click to expand

The beautiful turquoise carving is a sea turtle, a somewhat unusual Zuni subject. Zuni carvers have branched out from the traditional local animals that Cushing mentions. Turtle itself is a very old symbol of Mother Earth which turtle carries on its back. Andrews mentions the sea turtle specifically, pointing out they have survived almost unchanged for over 200 million years. He uses the image of their graceful motion in the water to suggest that when the sea turtle appears it indicates that our progress in creative activity will become smoother.

Karen's fabulous beads worked perfectly with the greens in the turtle. Green turquoise, lapis and a bit of coral complete the composition. Won't you invite this little sea turtle into your life to smooth your way?