{"product_id":"beatrice-the-blue-jay-ring","title":"Beatrice - the Blue Jay Ring","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuintin Quam Sr. | Zuni Pueblo | Monumental Pictorial Mosaic Inlay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHer name is Beatrice.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeatrice has concerns.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeveral.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd she would like to discuss them \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRIGHT FUCKING NOW.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis magnificent little psychopath is a Blue Jay, rendered in pictorial mosaic inlay by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZuni artist Quintin Quam Sr.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd I don’t know how Quam managed to capture the fundamental personality of a Blue Jay using pieces of turquoise and shell, but somehow:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere she is.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeatrice is hanging onto a birch-like tree, turquoise tail flying behind her, head turned sharply to the side like someone approximately three houses away has done something she specifically asked them not to do.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe entire scene is surrounded by turquoise, coral-colored and warm shell mosaic, with these wonderful abstract botanical forms exploding above and below her.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd once again, the scale is completely unreasonable.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApproximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethree inches long.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eForty grams.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSize 11.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis isn’t really a ring anymore.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt’s \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ea tiny Zuni wildlife portrait that has somehow acquired zoning authority.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWHY THIS PIECE MATTERS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery one of these monumental Quam birds is showing us something slightly different.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePenelope gives us abundance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArthur gives us restraint.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArchibald gives us contrast.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd Beatrice gives us \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003emovement\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLook at the pose.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe isn’t simply perched.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHer body crosses the composition diagonally. Her tail sweeps downward and outward. Her head turns in the opposite direction. The tree creates another vertical line running directly through the scene.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe whole composition feels alive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThen look at how Quam actually constructs the Blue Jay.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTurquoise defines the unmistakable blue of the bird, while white shell creates the breast and belly. Black detailing defines the face and characteristic markings, and tiny separately worked sections create the feathers of the wing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEven the tree becomes part of the mosaic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis isn’t a bird placed on top of a background.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe bird, tree and surrounding landscape are all constructed together as an image.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat’s pictorial inlay doing what it does best.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt’s storytelling through material.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eARTIFACT REGISTRY\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtifact:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeatrice — The Blue Jay Ring\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaker:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Quintin Quam Sr.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeople:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Zuni Pueblo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Zuni, New Mexico\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sterling silver with turquoise, shell and multistone mosaic inlay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSubject:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Blue Jay among tree and botanical imagery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTechnique:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Pictorial mosaic inlay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eForm:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Monumental statement ring\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRing Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 11\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFace:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approx. 3 inches long\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 40 grams\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHallmarks:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Q QUAM SR. \/ ZUNI \/ STERLING\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector’s Gallery Value:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e$2,700\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCURATOR’S FIELD OBSERVATION\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeatrice has one of my favorite compositions in the group because Quam uses the entire three-inch field.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Blue Jay isn’t confined neatly to the center.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHer body moves diagonally through the piece while the tree rises behind her, allowing the subject and environment to become visually intertwined.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThen Quam frames that naturalistic scene with geometric color.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTurquoise dominates, appropriately, but it’s interrupted by warm reds, oranges, yellows and shell tones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat color relationship is fantastic because it makes the cool turquoise bird jump forward from the warmer architecture surrounding her.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd then there’s the face.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne tiny turn of the head gives the entire bird personality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe’s not posing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe’s reacting to something.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat tiny storytelling decision is exactly what separates great pictorial jewelry from merely technically impressive inlay.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eARTIFACT CHARACTER RECORD\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eName:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Beatrice\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecies:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Blue Jay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOccupation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Neighborhood Compliance Officer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis position does not exist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeatrice created it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Alert. Opinionated. Extremely confident that this concerns her.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNatural Habitat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Trees overlooking other people’s business.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKnown For:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Knowing exactly what everyone on the block is doing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecial Ability:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Can detect an improperly placed trash bin from approximately 1.7 miles away.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFavorite Activity:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Investigating.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSecond Favorite Activity:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Reporting the findings of her investigation to absolutely everyone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKnown Associates:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Archibald.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArchibald possesses information.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeatrice possesses \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003erumors\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis distinction is important.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMildly Concerning Behavior:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Has memorized everyone’s schedule despite repeatedly claiming she “doesn’t pay attention to that stuff.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThreat Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Moderate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNot physically.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSocially.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCurrent Complaint:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The branch situation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease don’t ask.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eERIC’S NOTES FROM THE FIELD\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI fucking LOVE her.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause look at the pose.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe isn’t sitting peacefully like Arthur.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShe isn’t silently judging humanity like Archibald.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeatrice has \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ejust heard some shit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHer entire body is going one direction and her head has snapped around like:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“EXCUSE ME?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd then you start looking at the actual craftsmanship.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe turquoise.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe white shell belly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe little articulated wing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tail.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe fucking TREE.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd I love that Quam didn’t simply make a Blue Jay floating in the middle of the silver.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe gave her somewhere to exist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat’s what makes these pieces so much fun.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery one is becoming its own tiny world.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd every bird somehow has its own personality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePenelope owns the garden.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArthur owns the branch.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArchibald knows what happened.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd Beatrice?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeatrice knows who did it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hespera Jewelry Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47871899566257,"sku":null,"price":2195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0153\/9641\/files\/7C328362-0E76-4E19-AFBB-14C708740CB9.jpg?v=1787597122","url":"https:\/\/hespera.com\/products\/beatrice-the-blue-jay-ring","provider":"Hespera Jewelry Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}