{"product_id":"echoes-of-shalako-by-mary-kallestewa","title":"Echoes of Shalako by Mary Kallestewa","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome traditions are so enduring they don’t just survive—they become part of the people who carry them forward.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis remarkable necklace by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMary Kallestewa (Zuni)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e feels less like jewelry and more like a celebration of identity. Across the strand marches an entire procession of finely inlaid \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShalako-inspired figures\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, each painstakingly hand-cut from turquoise, shell, jet, and warm orange shell. At the center, a dramatic open crescent naja frames a matching inlaid figure, creating a composition that’s unmistakably Zuni yet completely Mary Kallestewa’s own.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery tiny piece of stone was individually shaped, fitted, and polished before becoming part of the mosaic. That precision is what elevated Mary Kallestewa into the highest ranks of Zuni lapidary artists.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHer work has been recognized by the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeard Museum\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, one of the premier institutions dedicated to Native American art. The museum’s collections include works by Mary Kallestewa, highlighting the lasting significance of her inlay artistry within the history of Southwestern jewelry. \u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe colors feel alive—bright Sleeping Beauty-style turquoise, creamy shell, deep jet, and glowing peach shell dance together in a rhythm that’s joyful without ever becoming loud. Every figure has its own personality, yet together they create one flowing narrative around the neck.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is museum-quality Zuni artistry from one of the great masters of figurative inlay.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetails\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eArtist:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mary Kallestewa (Zuni)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSterling silver necklace\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHand-cut stone-to-stone Zuni mosaic inlay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShalako-inspired figure motif throughout\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLarge matching inlaid naja centerpiece\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterials include turquoise, shell, jet, and orange shell\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHandmade sterling silver bead construction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector-quality example of Mary Kallestewa’s work\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom Eric\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI absolutely love pieces that make people smile before they even realize how technically insane they are.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt first glance, this necklace is playful. Then you get closer and realize every single little figure is built from dozens of individually cut stones that fit together almost perfectly. That’s the kind of craftsmanship that only comes from decades of mastery.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMary Kallestewa wasn’t just making jewelry—she was preserving Zuni visual storytelling in silver and stone. Finding one of her necklaces is special.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFinding one this complete…that’s a different story.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hespera Jewelry Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47699890667697,"sku":null,"price":8999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0153\/9641\/files\/243AB76D-F283-437A-9C11-5F92E2EF22F0.jpg?v=1783887648","url":"https:\/\/hespera.com\/products\/echoes-of-shalako-by-mary-kallestewa","provider":"Hespera Jewelry Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}