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Vintage Zuni mosaic style inlay in a Disney-inspired Hiawatha ring

Offered by: Marcy Burns American Indian Arts LLC

Description
4 3/4 ring size; circa 2” long

green turquoise, spandela shell (spiny oyster), mother-of-pearl, onyx, yellow clam shell

very minor wear on one of Hiawatha’s pant legs which appears to be very stable

ex: Private Collection

According to Wikipedia, Little Hiawatha (also called Hiawatha) is “a 1937 animated cartoon produced by Walt Disney Productions, inspired by the poem The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This Disney cartoon figure does not appear to have historical correlation to legendary Mohawk leader and peacemaker Hiawatha. It is the last Silly Symphonies short to be released by United Artists.[1]”Hiawatha is generally regarded as a heroic little boy who saves the lives of animals in the forest.

These Zuni-made rings of Disney cartoon characters are quite rare and the skill of the Zuni lapidaries is apparent. The rings in this collection are not signed and they are earlier than the ones that are generally in the marketplace.

I have erred on the side of caution in dating them to the 1960s-1970s but the argument can be made that they were made earlier.

$1400.

(j2230)

More Information

In the Style of:	Disney Studios
Period:	1950-1999
Creation Date:	1960's-1970's
Gemstones:	Onyx, Turquoise
Styles / Movements:	Other, American Indian
Incollect Reference #:	562228

Message from Seller:

For over thirty years, Marcy Burns American Indian Arts LLC has been nationally recognized as a premier dealer in antique American Indian basketry, textiles, pottery and jewelry, including Native American and Classic Designer jewelry from Taxco, Mexico.

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