Description
Dan Simplicio (1917-1969) silver, turquoise and branch coral bolo tie 38" long 2 5/8" x 3" slide. 70.4 grams, no issues, unmarked. 50's-60's.
Dan Simplicio Sr.(1917-1969) is one of the most collected & one of the most innovative Zuni artisans from decades ago.In a way,you can say he is similar to Charles Loloma in how he brought new ideas to what was considered 'common' to Native American jewelry..Ideas that just weren't happening before & changed how things were being done,as well as introducing new materials into Native American jewelry.It is said that back in the 30's,he was one of the 1st Native American artists to work in gold,which doesn't in the least,surprize me!
In Dan's later years,it was he who was the 1st to incorporate using whole pieces of branch coral in it's natural form & also introduced leaf work into Zuni jewelry.His leaf work was fluid in design & how at times he would beautifully wrap these so elegantly around the coral..The leaves themselves were like pieces of art,all on their own.
He collaborated with who are now some of the most sought out names, when it comes to 'Masters" of Zuni jewelry..Artists like the famed Leo Poblano,LeekyaDeyuse, Teddie Weahkee,Bernard Homer and Lee Edaakie.Early in his career,he was employed by C.G.Wallace at his Zuni trading post,where he did a lot of grinding work & set stones for the company.. Wallace collected some of Dan's finest work and when his collection was auctioned at Sotheby’s in 1975, it included more than 50 pieces by Simplicio.
All precious metals are tested and guaranteed, any Native American jewelry<br>referred to as Silver or Sterling is guaranteed to be a minimum of 90% (coin)<br>silver and possibly higher content. Anything marked is guaranteed to be what<br>it's marked, most bracelets are photographed on a 6" wrist (non hairy), rings<br>photographed on the appropriate sized finger when possible. With bracelets if<br>the measurement is not given in the description then inside circumference is<br>shown where the metal meets the number on the the cloth tape measure.
