This piece is NOT Native American. It was crafted in Taxco, Mexico.
This is a set of Cufflinks created by Nahuatl Indian Artist Augustine Torres Beltran. This beautiful set is created from Mata Ortiz Pottery Shards that have been crafted in .950 Sterling Silver. The reverse of one cufflink is signed MOATB for Mata Ortiz and the Artist Initials. The reverse is also stamped .950.
The cufflinks measure approximately 1 1/16 inches by 3/4 inch at the tallest and widest points. Total weight of the set is 10.9 grams.
Centuries ago in what is now Northwestern Chihuahua Mexico, the trading city of Paquime thrived, bringing together the cultures of Northern Mexico with the Pueblo culture of the Southwestern United States. An important part of the Paquime culture was a rich pottery tradition. The city eventually fell to ruins and the ceramic art was lost for centuries. In current times, Juan Quezada from Mata Ortiz uncovered ancient pots. After fifteen years of recreating the art, he has been able to master and then teach the pottery making tradition. When pots break during firing, the shards are repurposed into jewelry resulting in unique one of a kind work of art.
SKU 996113