The name Zuni was given to the Ashiwi people during the time of the Spanish conquests in 1583. The Zuni pueblo is the largest in New Mexico. Pueblo is the Spanish word for village and refers to those tribes that live in permanent houses of adobe and stone in the southwest area. The Zuni people are farmers and traders, as well as craftspeople. The reservation is highly protected, isolated and self-sufficient. The people live in the traditional ways of their ancestors and speak the Shiwi language, which is unique to them. In Zuni society the women hold authority over any children, property and decisions in the families. In history they avoided conflict whenever possible and were able to maintain their autonomy. The Zuni tribe resides on their historical land.
A Navajo blacksmith named Atsidi Saani learned to silversmith from a Mexican man, Nakai Tsosi. He in turn taught many other Natives. A Zuni man named Lanyade learned to silversmith from a Navajo named Atsidi Chon. Lanyade later taught the Hopi people.
The Zuni artists were previously accomplished in iron, copper, wood, shell and ceramics. With the addition silversmith techniques, the Zuni began to prosper. Zuni jewelry is characterized by several styles of craftsmanship. The most common is stone inlay. As smaller pieces of stone were easier to obtain, the Zuni created inlay designs.
Various small stones are individually cut and set to fit closely together in specific patterns. Another technique is called needlepoint. Several small oval shaped stones with pointed ends (similar to an eye shape) are set on their side closely side by side. This style is usually done in turquoise for a ring or bracelet. The Zuni artists are also known for their stone animal carvings, called fetishes. In the jewelry they use miniature carvings of birds, foxes, bears and such. Single or multi strand necklaces are made with heishi (shell beads) and the animal beads. The Zuni focus is on the stonework in their inlay designs. Pieces with large stones often include more detail in the silver work such as design stamps and silver twists.
