Vintage Native Zuni Lesansee Silver Squash Blossum Owl Necklace, Cuff & Earrings

This is an exquisite matching Owl Squash Necklace, Bracelet, and Earrring set, hand made by an artist who was known for her spectacular inlay work. Velma Lesansee with her husband Blake Lesansee produced these pieces in Zuni, New Mexico in the mid 1970’s. Husband and wife team Blake and Velma Lesansee started working together in the mid-1950’s.
Blake and Velma working together in the mid- 1950s and worked through the 1970’s Their inlaid owl design was also used in necklaces, bracelets, key rings, money clips, watch tips and pins. Pieces made by them are signed engraving their names on the back of their work (VB). This necklace is signed on back of the cuff bracelet. (picture included).
Their work resides in such museums as the Kennedy Museum of Art and the New Mexico Museum in Santa Fe. There are pictures of this couples work in Bassman, Theda, “Zuni Jewelry” West Chester PA Schiffer Publishing Co., 1992, P 25. Also in Bell, Ed and Barbara. “Zuni The Art and the People Vol. 3” Dallas, TX Taylor Publishing Company, 1977, p. 4-5.
This set is one of the finest Zuni Native American jewelry squash blossoms. It was created in Sterling Silver and inlaid with turquoise, mother of pearl, coral, cowry shell. The total length of the necklace is 27”. It has 10 beautiful squashes on it. The large center Naja is 3” L by 3 ¼” W. Located on the necklace are fabulous hand wrought round silver beads with a traditional silver clasp. It is all made with Sterling Silver.
The set includes a beautiful 3 owl bracelet marked with 2 stamped VBs (Velma and Blake), matching clip on earrings and the squash blossom necklace, all inlayed with turquoise, coral, mother of pearl, cowrie shell, pen shell, and abalone shell – all in silver. The necklace has a double strand of silver beads with 10 owls with two or more of the naja (pendant), about 30” long end to end including the clasp. This will come with the original case.

• Condition: Good overall condition; general wear; kindly see photos
• Measurements: Necklace is 27 inches long and 185 grams
• Dates to: Circa 1970’s
• Signed: N/A