Kewa Pueblo Thunderbird

Mary Louise Tafoya from Kewa Pueblo in New Mexico created this striking Thunderbird mosaic inlay pendant and strung it on sky blue turquoise.  It is made of turquoise, spiny oyster shell, and white material inlaid onto jet.  Mary Louise signs each of her necklaces with her name and her signature flower.  More about Thunderbirds and mosaic inlay below.

Length: 18", Pendant: 2" H x 1.675" L x .25" W

Thunderbirds are intelligent forces of nature with the power of thunder.  They are associated with lightening and rain. 

Jewelers from Kewa Pueblo have been creating mosaic inlay jewelry for over a thousand years.  Some of the ancient Kewa jewelry can seem quite modern in their designs.  The stones, and/or shell, are cut into shapes which are then put together like a puzzle on a backing.  The backing can be shell, jet, or other materials like records or sheets of plastic which was used during times when materials were hard to come by.  Prior to colonization and the use of metals in Native American jewelry making, the earrings were hung on handmade string.