Zuni Sterling Silver Oval Needlepoint Pin

Mid/Late 20th Century

.375" H x 2.25" L x 1.625" W

Hand Crafted from Sterling Silver with 28 Teardrop Turquoise Stones and 23 Round Turquoise Stones

Excellent Condition

From a private collection of George W. Patterson, of Tulsa, OK; Missionary to the Makah and who lived at Neah Bay from 1964-1982. He had also spent a brief period of time on the Navajo reservation during this period.

The Zuni Sterling Silver Oval Needlepoint Pin is a classic piece of Native American jewelry handmade by Zuni Pueblo artisans from New Mexico. Zuni jewelry is renowned for its intricate lapidary work, particularly the needlepoint technique, which originated around the 1930s. This method involves cutting gemstones (most commonly turquoise) into long, slender, needle-like shapes with pointed ends. These stones are then meticulously set into sterling silver bezels in clustered patterns, creating a sparkling, mosaic-like effect. The oval shape is a popular design for pins, often doubling as pendants, and emphasizes the labor-intensive craftsmanship—each stone is hand-cut and set, making these pieces highly collectible and time-consuming to produce.