Horace Iule Zuni Sterling Silver Turquoise Cross Pendant Necklace View Watchlist >
Horace Iule Zuni Sterling Silver Turquoise Cross Pendant Necklace
- Winning Bid: $260.00
- 28 Bid(s) View Bid History
- High Bidder: Catcall5
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Lot # JD119
System ID # 27709945
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5 Watching
Horace Iule Zuni Sterling Silver Turquoise Cross Pendant Necklace
A sterling silver and natural turquoise cross pendant necklace by Horace Iule (1901–1978) — one of the most documented and collected Zuni Pueblo silversmiths of the twentieth century. His H. IULE hallmark is stamped cleanly on the reverse of this pendant, and his crosses are among the most recognized forms in the Southwest Native American jewelry canon. Museum collections and galleries across the United States hold his work; signed examples rarely appear at open auction.
The cross measures 3 inches tall by 2 inches wide and carries six natural turquoise cabochons in a warm seafoam-to-mint green, ranging from 8.49 × 5.35 mm to 12.90 × 5.81 mm, each individually set in hand-applied serrated bezels. The stones are distributed along the vertical and horizontal arms with silver bead clusters at the center intersection — a hallmark compositional choice of Iule's cross work. The surrounding silver is richly worked with stamp-decorated sunburst motifs at each arm terminus, radiating feather-and-line stampwork across the body, and a sculpted twisted-rope bail at the crown. The reverse is flat, hand-finished sterling. The pendant is accompanied by a 25-inch sterling silver rope chain by Speidel, with spring ring clasp — in excellent condition.
Iule learned silversmithing from his father, transitioned from blacksmithing training into expert sand-cast silverwork from the 1930s forward, and taught an entire generation of Zuni smiths at Zuni Day School. His legacy extended through his children, including Wilbur and Cecilia Iule. This is a piece with full provenance depth — signed, tested, measured, and wearing its age beautifully. A serious addition to any Southwest collection.
CONDITION
Excellent. All six turquoise stones are secure in their settings with no chips, cracks, or movement detected. The silver retains strong detail in the stampwork throughout; natural patina has developed in the recessed decorative areas, enriching the visual contrast of the design — this has not been polished, and we leave that choice to the buyer. The chain is in excellent structural condition — no kinks, stretching, or weak points — with a secure lobster clasp. Both pendant and chain are confirmed sterling silver.
DIMENSIONS & SPECIFICATIONS
- Pendant: 3 in. × 2 in. | Rise: 7.8 mm | Bale opening: 5.24 mm | Weight: 25.9 g
- Stones: 6 bezel-set natural turquoise cabochons | Range: 8.49 × 5.35 mm to 12.90 × 5.81 mm
- Chain: 25 in. | Rope style, solid | Width: 1.83 mm | Weight: 4.4 g | Lobster clasp | Marked: Sterling Speidel
- Metal: Sterling silver (.925), tested
- Hallmark: H. IULE (Horace Iule, Zuni Pueblo)
- Combined weight: 30.3 g
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