Description
c1960 c-31 Effie Calavaza Zuni Snake bolo tie 37" long with dents to tips to make it more unique as shown.
Collaborated with Juan Calavaza. Signed Juan C., Zuni, ca.1955-70 until Juan's death in 1970 then began signing Effie C., Zuni. Nugget, stampwork, sandcast jewelry. Wife of Juan Calavaza, mother of Susie Calavaza, Gloria Jean Garcia, Georgiana Yatsatti, four other children. Taught by her husband.
(Schaaf 2003:102)
Biography
Effie specializes in sandcasting silver and incorporates large stones. Her snake designs are known as her signature style. She began making jewelry in the mid-1950s after learning jewelry making from her husband, Juan Calavaza. Her daughters, Georgiana Yatsattie, Gloria Jean Garcia, and Susie Calavaza, are all jewelers as well. She also has four other children. Effie won an award at the Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup, New Mexico. Effie also went all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States of America to obtain full copyright of her art work to stop those from importing fake pieces of her work. Despite rumors, Effie is still making jewelry today and her work is collected throughout the world.
All precious metals are tested and guaranteed. A Native American jewelry piece referred to as "silver" or "ingot" is guaranteed to be at least 90% silver. I rarely use the word "sterling" when referring to older Native American silver or really any older silver jewelry as silver contents vary and "sterling" is 92.5% silver. No older jewelry is going to be exactly 92.5% silver, some a little over, some a little under. It wasn't an exact thing with handmade jewelry. I've seen thousands of pieces xrf'd to prove this. Bracelets are photographed on a 6" women's wrist.
