The University of Arizona
 

Ethnological Beadwork & Jewelry Collections

Jewelry Collections: Navajo, Hopi and Zuni silverwork form the core of the jewelry collection. A number of the early Navajo jewelry examples came from the collection of early trader, John Wetherill. Mexican jewelry items, such as Oaxacan cross necklaces and Mixe glass bead necklaces, came to the Museum with the Cordry Collection of Mexican costumes.

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Turquoise and silver bracelet

Beadwork Collections: Within the ethnological collections are over 1,000 examples of beadwork. This includes several hundred Apache beaded clothing and decorative items, and craft products, most of which are part of the Guenther Western Apache Collection, collected from 1911 to 1981 by a missionary family in Whiteriver, Arizona. Plains beaded dresses, vests, pipe bags, moccasins, and other objects account for the majority of the rest of the beadwork. Other Southwestern beadwork examples include Mohave, Quechan and Cocopah netted work, and Huichol beaded jewelry and gourd bowls.

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Beaded buckskin jacket     Beaded buckskin boots     Beaded necklace

Please Note:

Ethical guidelines prevent us from providing appraisals. For businesses that can assist you with appraisals you may consult our List of ResourcesOpens in a new window (PDF * ). The list does not indicate any preference or recommendation by the museum. It contains mainly businesses in the Tucson, AZ area. For other areas you may refer to the American Society of AppraisersOpens in a new window to locate an appraiser or check with a local gallery that deals with American Indian art.

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