Vintage Native American Jewelry

Vtg Zuni Native American Frank Dishta Channel Inlay Turquoise Hoop Earrings

Vtg Zuni Native American Frank Dishta Channel Inlay Turquoise Hoop Earrings
Vtg Zuni Native American Frank Dishta Channel Inlay Turquoise Hoop Earrings
Vtg Zuni Native American Frank Dishta Channel Inlay Turquoise Hoop Earrings
Vtg Zuni Native American Frank Dishta Channel Inlay Turquoise Hoop Earrings
Vtg Zuni Native American Frank Dishta Channel Inlay Turquoise Hoop Earrings
Vtg Zuni Native American Frank Dishta Channel Inlay Turquoise Hoop Earrings
Vtg Zuni Native American Frank Dishta Channel Inlay Turquoise Hoop Earrings
Vtg Zuni Native American Frank Dishta Channel Inlay Turquoise Hoop Earrings
Vtg Zuni Native American Frank Dishta Channel Inlay Turquoise Hoop Earrings
Vtg Zuni Native American Frank Dishta Channel Inlay Turquoise Hoop Earrings
Vtg Zuni Native American Frank Dishta Channel Inlay Turquoise Hoop Earrings
Vtg Zuni Native American Frank Dishta Channel Inlay Turquoise Hoop Earrings

Vtg Zuni Native American Frank Dishta Channel Inlay Turquoise Hoop Earrings

These earrings may be the prize, masterwork or piece de resistance of my jewelry collection. Like all other Frank Dishta pieces, they are unsigned in the traditional sense. His signature consists in the technique he used and materials he chose to fashion his creations.

His signature process is one that has come to be known as "channel inlay, " which utilizes a flat mount or flush mount technique. I believe the process has three or four basic steps.

First, Dishta created a base layer or basic form for his piece of jewelry. Next, he constructed a complex network of silver channels, a spiderweb or honeycomb on this base layer. Finally, he hand cut and embedded small blue and green micro dot turquoise cabochons into each of the cells of the honeycomb that he had created - so that the stones were flush with the top of the honeycomb matrix and did not rise or extend above it. The earrings in this listing showcase Dishta's channel inlay technique to masterful effect.

They are delicate silver hoop earrings topped by three rows of blue and green turquoise micro dot cabochons that are flush mount or flat mounted with the top of the honeycomb cells or channels. If I have counted correctly, there are 45 turquoise stones on each earring, or a total of 90 in all.

The side of each earring is further adorned with an exquisite row of tiny caviar like silver beads or dots. This is evident in the 3rd, 5th and 6th photographs. The arm of the hoop is carefully attached by a loop to one side of the earring. It fits into a groove attachment created on the other side. This is shown in the 9th, 10th and 11th photographs.

The black box in which the earrings are displayed is not part of the listing. Diameter of the Each Hoop: approx. Width of Hoop: One quarter or 1/4th inch. Total Drop of Earring: 1 inch. NOTE 1: While these earrings are in excellent condition for their age, their age is considerable and the earrings, truly "vintage" - with all that that entails.

They have minor imperfections and are not for you. If, on the other hand, you appreciate vintage and, in particular, turquoise inlay earrings, these are a prime and beautiful example of the form.

That said, I would like to note one thing in particular: some of the tiny turquoise cabochons do not fill out the honeycomb cells completely, width-wise. That is, some of the stones are not mathematically circular in form. They are nuggets with a naturally irregular shape. This occasionally means that there are minute gaps in the surface.

This can be seen in some of the photographs. For instance, in the 4th, 6th and 11th photographs.

Far from representing defects or imperfections, however, in most instances I believe this is a function of the rough and rugged nature of the stones Dishta used and is characteristic of his work. The same little gaps appear in other pieces of Dishta jewelry I have viewed on the internet. They are part of the idiosyncratic beauty of the pieces. I nonetheless thought I should bring the matter to your attention, so that there is complete transparency.

NOTE 2: Frank Dishta began his work as a silversmith in 1924 and, reportedly, soon became a master. He continued to create dazzling works like this for the next 30 years. I do not know when this particular pair of earrings dates from.

Nor do I know for certain that the silver he utilized is sterling grade silver or. It looks to me like sterling silver or silver of an even higher grade, but I have not had the earrings tested. I therefore make no representation or guarantee about the level of purity.

Most Dishta listings I have seen seem to assume he used sterling silver. Personally, I have worn and enjoyed the earrings for over 20 years without having to know its precise chemical composition.

But if that is something that concerns you, these earrings are probably not for you. The item "Vtg Zuni Native American Frank Dishta Channel Inlay Turquoise Hoop Earrings" is in sale since Monday, September 10, 2018. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Vintage & Antique Jewelry\Vintage Ethnic/Regional/Tribal\Native American (pre-1935)". The seller is "wiregauge" and is located in New York, New York.

This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Norway, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Viet nam, Uruguay, Switzerland, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Ecuador, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman islands, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Peru, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion.

  • Jewelry Type: Earrings
  • Brand: Handmade
  • Main Stone: Natural Turquoise Micro Dots or Cabochons
  • Metal: Silver
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • Metal Purity: Unknown


Vtg Zuni Native American Frank Dishta Channel Inlay Turquoise Hoop Earrings