Sterling silver and turquoise cross pendant by Cecilia Iule

This pendant is a traditional Zuni cross crafted using sterling silver and turquoise inlay, likely made in the late 20th century. The piece showcases the distinctive Zuni lapidary technique of channel inlay, where precisely cut stones are set into silver channels. These Native American crosses are highly valued by collectors of Southwestern and Native American jewelry for their cultural significance and craftsmanship. The combination of turquoise and silver represents the sky and water in Zuni symbolism, making these pieces both spiritually meaningful and aesthetically appealing to collectors of indigenous art.