Description
Dennis & Nancy Edaakie Zuni Cardinal inlaid sterling earrings 2.25" long with hooks x 5/8" wide. 13.5 grams total.
Dennis and Nancy Edaakie started making jewelry in 1965 and have become known
for finely detailed bird imagery on pieces made in the overlay inlay technique.
Dennis’s father, Merle Edaakie, did stonework for trader C. G. Wallace.
In 1970, at the urging of traders Ruth and Leon Ingram, Dennis and Nancy first
produced inlay jewelry bearing images of birds. Overlay inlay is similar to Hopi
overlay. In both methods, one piece of silver with a cut-out pattern is overlaid
on another piece of the same size and shape. In the Hopi technique the bottom
layer is darkened so that the cut-out areas contrast with the polished silver of
the top layer. In the Zuni overlay inlay technique, mosaic stonework fills the
blanks, forming a brilliantly colored counterpoint to the monochromatic silver.
Beginning in the late 1970s, Dennis and Nancy further innovated on the overlay
technique through the use of gold, as opposed to silver.
Dennis has been given credit for development of the spinner pendant, another
design he developed at the urging of the Ingrams. This form of pendant can be
reversed while remaining on the wearer’s neck. Dennis first produced flat
spinner pendants, but he now also makes a domed version.
Nancy started out doing some of the inlay details on Dennis’s work and now does
all of the inlay. Dennis has always done the silverwork on their pieces. They
originally used a parrot beak stamp as their hallmark, since Dennis is of the
parrot clan. Later, they used DENNIS E., and, subsequent to that, DENNIS AND
NANCY EDAAKIE. Dennis and Nancy Edaakie’s sons, Myron, Sanford, Derrick and
Dale, also make overlay inlay jewelry.
Unfortunately, Dennis passed away in early 2008.
Their sterling silver and genuine gemstone inlay bird pins and pendants are some
of the most sought after pieces in Native American Indian jewelry. Much of their
jewelry is made from sterling silver, turquoise, jet, mother of pearl, abalone,
and coral. The Edaakie’s pieces are well known as being excellently
hand-crafted; from their silver and gold technique to their impeccable inlay.
They have passed the torch to their sons, who are trying to carry on their
parents traditions. Dennis passed away close to Memorial Day of 2008, and Nancy
is no longer producing jewelry. Their work will truly be appreciated by the
world over for years to come!
All precious metals are tested and guaranteed, any Native American jewelry
referred to as Silver or Sterling is guaranteed to be a minimum of 90% (coin)
silver and possibly higher content. Anything marked is guaranteed to be what
it's marked, most bracelets are photographed on a 6" wrist (non hairy), rings
photographed on the appropriate sized finger when possible. With bracelets if
the measurement is not given in the description then inside circumference is
shown where the metal meets the number on the the cloth tape measure.
