This piece is NOT Native American. It was crafted in Taxco, Mexico.
This is a pair of Earrings created by Nahuatl Indian Artist Augustine Torres Beltran. These beautiful earrings are created from Mata Ortiz Pottery Shards that have been crafted in .950 Sterling Silver. The reverse of one setting is signed MOATB for Mata Ortiz and the Artist Initials and is also stamped .950.
The earrings measure approximately 1 5/8 inches as measured from the center of the french ear loop to the bottom of the earrings and are 9/16 inch wide at the widest point. Total weight of the pair is 8.7 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 996136