Vintage Zuni Sunface Naja Necklace

Wear Sunfaces around your neck on any cloudy day...or anytime!  This vintage sterling silver Zuni necklace was made by Ashberry Gasper.  The feathers around the faces are inlaid pink mussel shell, the faces are inlaid with Sleeping Beauty turquoise, natural red coral (more red than the photos show), Mother of Pearl, and jet.  There are twelve smaller Sunfaces..  The beads are all handmade and end in a hook and eye clasp.  We estimate this necklace was made in 1960s to 1970s. What a beauty!

This necklace came from a vintage collection of Native American jewelry we purchased. It has been lightly polished.

Size: 28.25" L (could easily be shorted by take some beads off the end) - Naja 2" H x 2" W - Sunfaces 1" Diameter

Sunface is a representation of the Sun Katsina, an intelligent force of nature.

The naja is a prominent symbol in Navajo and Zuni jewelry and is always the center piece in squash blossom necklaces.  I was told they are a feminine symbol, and their crescent shape represents the arms of a matriarch and the generations of the past and future.  It symbolizes ease of movement, paths of least resistance for the family, even during challenging times.  There is a sense of open arms in the shape of the naja that is soothing.  Some najas have hands on each end.