Zuni Inlaid Butterfly Pin/Pendant

Bold and beautiful would define this butterfly pin/pendant by Zuni jeweler Angus Ahiyite.  Jet, orange spiny shell, natural red coral, green and blue turquoise, and jasper are artfully inlaid in the wings and the body is natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise.  There is a loop for a chain and a pin back. More about butterflies below.

Size: 1.75" H x 2.875" W

Butterflies begin their lives as caterpillars, crawling around and munching on leaves.  They then go through a dramatic transformation inside the cocoons that they make for this purpose.  They emerge as creatures of the air and flight.  For many Native American people, planting specific seeds and harvests revolve around when butterflies emerge or depart.  They also symbolize transformation because they go through such huge changes.