{"product_id":"desert-harvest","title":"Desert Harvest","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI picked this thing up, flipped it over once, and immediately smiled.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou can tell when an artist was having fun.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMost jewelers would’ve stopped after the coral. Or maybe after the turquoise. Dan Simplicio kept going. “Let’s carve every leaf. Let’s weave a basket. Let’s make the whole thing feel like someone just walked out of the desert carrying home something beautiful.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat’s exactly what this feels like.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy This Piece Matters\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDan Simplicio is one of the foundational names in classic Zuni jewelry. His work helped define the sculptural style that made mid-century Zuni craftsmanship famous—lush silver foliage, vibrant turquoise, and naturally branching Mediterranean coral brought together in compositions that feel alive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis piece is a perfect example of that philosophy. Instead of arranging stones into a simple pattern, Simplicio creates an entire scene. The coral becomes living branches, the turquoise becomes blossoms nestled among hand-carved leaves, and the woven basket at the base ties everything together into a desert bouquet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe craftsmanship is remarkable throughout. Every leaf was individually fabricated and engraved. The branch coral was allowed to keep its organic character rather than being forced into symmetry, giving the entire composition natural movement. Even after decades, the piece still invites you to slow down and discover another little detail hidden among the silverwork.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis isn’t simply jewelry. It’s wearable Southwestern sculpture from one of the artists who helped define an era.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtifact Registry\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaker:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Dan Simplicio\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTribe:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Zuni\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sterling Silver, Natural Mediterranean Coral, Natural Turquoise\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 94 grams\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSize:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 4 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Hand-fabricated sculptural pin with pendant bail\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEra:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mid-20th Century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector’s Gallery Value:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e$3,250\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCurator’s Field Observation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis brooch demonstrates many of the hallmarks collectors seek in Dan Simplicio’s work. The deeply chased silver leaves create dramatic texture, while twisted wire accents add rhythm throughout the composition. The natural branch coral flows through the design without losing its organic form, giving the piece a sense of life that couldn’t be achieved with cut stones alone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe turquoise displays a beautiful range of color, from soft robin’s egg blue to richer green-blue tones, adding depth and contrast against the vivid coral. At the base, the meticulously fabricated basket acts as both a visual anchor and a storytelling element, completing the impression of freshly gathered desert flora.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDespite its impressive size, the composition remains balanced from every angle, with each element contributing to the overall harmony rather than competing for attention.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEric’s Notes from the Field\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is one of those pieces that makes me wish jewelry could talk.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI’d love to know what Dan was looking at when he built this. Was it a hillside after the rain? A bundle of branches someone carried home? Or was it just something he saw in his head and decided silver was the only way to explain it?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhatever the answer is, he absolutely nailed it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is the kind of piece you don’t outgrow. Twenty years from now you’ll still be finding little details you never noticed before.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hespera Jewelry Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47817109242033,"sku":null,"price":2450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0153\/9641\/files\/82FC6A5C-3A68-440C-ADDD-53A9F5A5DA1A.jpg?v=1785875507","url":"https:\/\/hespera.com\/products\/desert-harvest","provider":"Hespera Jewelry Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}