This piece in our Zuni Celebration belongs in a museum or in the hands of a serious collector. Depicting a pair of katsinas, it gives us a peek into Zuni ceremonial life. Specifically, the perfectly executed pin depicts Saiyatasha or Rain Priest of the North (the foremost figure in the Shalako ceremony) and Hututu, his war deputy. Besides being an outstanding piece of jewelry because of its technically advanced inlay, it is a very rare piece. In fact, Marti Struever has never seen a pair of katsinas depicted together on a piece of Zuni jewelry like this. The mosaic inlay pin was originally attributed to Leo Poblano and very well could be as few Zuni artists would have had the ability to create a piece of this stature. It dates circa 1940's and it measures 3 1/2" wide x 3" high. It is part of the ex-Linda Nelson collection.
Sorry, this piece has sold.