My cat Mosi actually does have really big eyes. LOL
We were in NM in '21, and the symbol on their state flag is the Zia Sun symbol. Not long after we were home, we adopted a kitten from the shelter and named her Zia. Unfortunately she got a URI, and died about a week later. Not long after that I joined the Turquoise People Forum, and picked the name Ziacat.
Thanks all. I was really happy with the piece. I had been trying to decide between it and one with bighorn sheep (love bighorns), but the design of this one is what sold me. Later on I looked up the artist, and he is well regarded. Sadly he passed in 2011. There is a Chinese fake mark being used to claim things are his stuff. I posted months ago the fake Manuel Hoyungowa anglo mother child ring (or something like that). I was looking him up again the other day, and that stupid thing is still out there.
Beautiful Hopi pendant Ziacat. I can see why it’s your favorite. Pretty cat too. Really nice pictures, not sure what you take the pictures with but they came out grear 
Here are my bird pieces. I thought I had another but I couldn’t find it 
They are pretty tarnished but still ok.
@CyanideRose18, is the pendant marked? I have one with a very similar design by Ted Wadsworth (Hopi), which also has a Hopi Guild hallmark. From your picture the scale of yours looks larger, though.
@Ziacat
Your kitty is named Mosi.
My kitty is named Miso.
Just rearrange the letters!
I like it!! Are they look alikes?
We got another kitty after Zia passed, but I couldn’t come up with a name. I ended up with Mosi which is Navajo for cat; Mosi Yazzie means little cat. A while back I was looking up some trading post info, and look what I found!
Kitty on this rug appears to be enjoying a smoke…
I love both your pieces, especially this one! He’s a pretty cool looking thunderbird. And I love it with the necklace you’re wearing it on.
Mine did not come with the chain; I had bought that in Taos back in the late '80s. However when I tried it on the chain I’ve never worn it on anything else, even though it fits on a couple of my thin heishi necklaces. The bail on it isn’t super big.
Thanks a bunch Zia 
Once I find a chain that my pendant looks great on, I hardly ever change it. I like you necklace because the links are smaller. I purchased two different Native American silver necklaces but the way the pendant spins on them drives me nuts. I would love to find one with thinner links. I think they are more versatile. I purchased the three stand a while ago for $150 and I was afraid to put anything too heavy on it. This pendant is lighter weight, so I’m hoping it won’t damage it.
I did find my other bird pendant. I think I shared it years ago, when I first signed up
I almost forgot about this little pendant. We were visiting Vancouver Island, and did some whale watching (and Orcas). I first was attracted to the pendant because it’s a whale tale.
But …when you turn it sideways it’s a raven (although it has to be worn as the whale because of where the bail is placed).
I hope our new Canadian member @chamekke enjoys it
Santo Domingo Pueblo mid century “battery bird” necklaces and earrings. These types of necklaces are also called “Deppression-Era” necklaces because they were popularized during the depression, however they continued to be made after the depression and I believe mine to be a little later, 40’s to 50’s. They are mostly made of plastic that was repurposed from utensils, combs, vinyl records, car batteries, etc. that the makers used when traditional materials became scarce or too expensive. The turquoise chips, however, are genuine. These necklaces were marketed to tourists as inexpensive souvenirs, but have become collectable with time. I love the little earrings; I see those less commonly than the necklaces.
Those are both beautiful, and I remember your earrings from another post. Love them all. Do you wear the necklaces much? I have one (not nearly as nice), but when I wear it the tabs flip over and it bugs me.
When I wore it to Church, our associate pastor, who’s a native South African, asked me if it was African. He said it really reminded him of the jewelry worn in his home country; he loved it.
I believe I read somewhere that the white beads are bone, is that correct?
Oh, I do, I do! This is a wonderful pendant, truly unusual. I haven’t seen one quite like this before. The shape is so distinctive. I’m glad you bought it, it’s definitely in the right hands.
John Lancaster does lovely work IMO. His younger brothers Don and Herbert also design jewellery. Apparently they all share a studio here in Victoria with their uncle, Norman Seaweed, who is another of my favourite artists.
It’s a beautiful whale/raven pendant, @Ziacat, thank you for sharing it!
These are beautiful and fascinating necklaces, so appealing! I’d never heard of or seen “battery bird” pieces before, thank you for explaining these in such detail. The design is full of charm, and I love the environmentally sensible (and economically pragmatic) upcycling of used materials. And the earrings are adorable!
Thank you! I do wear them, though not a whole lot. I don’t get to wear any of my jewelry on a daily basis, and then when I do I have a lot of choices to rotate through! It doesn’t bother me when the tabs flip over though, I just figure it’s part of the look.
Most commonly the white beads in these necklaces are made out of gypsum, a soft white mineral that was found nearby. Sometimes you will see necklaces strung with beads made of bone, or white glass trade beads.
That helps, I’ll wear them and to try not to get annoyed
Here’s a couple more. My Santo Domingo depression era type necklace…
And a little copper thunderbird cuff.
I don’t know much about the necklace; I found it in a little deerskin bag in a basement closet we were clearing out after Mom died. I think Mom bought it in '69 for my sister on a trip west. She didn’t want it, so I ended up with it (darn). I bought the cuff in Cherokee, NC from a Cherokee artist. He was at the shop making jewelry while we were there (right now I can’t think of his name). It’s copper and nickel silver with a deerskin lining.
I’m posting my last bird. This cuff has been a favorite for decades, prob one of my favs of all I have. I believe it to be a Tommy Singer, but is not signed so I’ll l never know for sure. However, the gentleman I bought it from was incredibly knowledgeable, and was sure it was, because of who he bought it from I think (can’t remember exactly). I bought it pawn from Four Winds Traders in Flag many years ago. I’ve mentioned the store before; it was amazing. I stumbled on it, and then later found it written up in my Trading Post Guidebook. As I said previously, pretty much the only customers there were Navajos (the book also mentioned this). I often wonder what happened to the owner, because the store changed hands and just wasn’t the same. Looking back I wish I had been able to buy so much more. He truly was a gentleman, and spent time teaching me whenever I would visit. Since then I also found info about some older Tommy Singer pieces that were very similar to this one. But whatever the case I love it! When Mr. Causer sold it to me he also called the bird an anhinga, which look very much like cormorants. I spend a lot of time on the Great Lakes and see piles of cormorants, so now every time I go I have to take this cuff along.
I have since found some info on the Native American Jewelry Tips site about some older Tommy Singer pieces with very similar inlay. Here’s the link.More information on my new buckle please | Native American Jewelry Tips
