This piece is NOT Native American. It was crafted in Taxco, Mexico.
This is a Necklace created by Nahuatl Indian Artist Augustine Torres Beltran. This stunning necklace is created from a Mata Ortiz Pottery Shard that has been crafted in .950 Sterling Silver artistry. The reverse of this pendant is signed MOATB for Mata Ortiz and the Artist Initials and is also stamped .950.
The necklace measure approximately 22 inches as measured on the inside of the neckline. The center piece measures approximately 3 1/8 inches wide by 2 9/16 inches tall at the widest and tallest points. Total weight of this work of art 146.5 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 996158