All we (my wife and I) can find so far about this necklace is that it is a MUDHEAD main pendent. What we don’t know is of what tribe and my wife really wants to know what significance are the birds to this piece.
Please help us. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Birds and other animals often appear in this style of necklace. Are your birds abalone or metal?
Hi and welcome,
It appears to be in the manner of a fetish necklace but probably non-Native and made of base metal, unless it’s been tested and marked for sterling. Is it?
Birds are a classic form for a true Zuni fetish necklace. Mudhead, though a figure for both Zuni and Hopi, is an invention here for this sort of necklace. (Slight editing of original post.)
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You will actually find the Mudhead very much part of the Zuni ceremonies and I believe it was Frank Cushing who was adopted into the Mudhead society while in Zuni. However, I also believe the necklace to be an invention as well.
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