Came across this interesting article in the Gallup Independent who had an Inter-Tribal Ceremonial Edition in 1948. This information helps date old Zuni inlay work. I will write some of the article.
Ted Weahake Found Way to Make it Stick by J. Wesley Huff
In August 1934 something new in the line of Indian jewelry appeared in the exhibits at the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial. It was Zuni inlay done in turquoise, jet, pink and white shell and created by a Zuni jem cutter, Teddy Weahake, an overseas veteran of the first World War.
Teddy had made his first piece of inlay in 1932, a kinfe wing bird which he mounted on a bow guard to wear on ceremonial occasions. He had discovered the secret of mounting the fitted stones ad shells permanently to a silver back, and this secret he kept for several years while other gem cutters tried unsuccessfully to copy his work.
The knife wing design mounted on the bow guard created a sensation when he first wore it in Zuni, and Teddy reported he was encouraged to develop other new jewelry styles by the praise his first piece received.
During the next two years he turned out piece after piece of inlay. From the paintings of rainbow gods on the ceremonial altars he designed a rainbow in inlay. He then developed a dragon fly design. The inlays were mounted on bracelets, rings, pins and earrings. He put the work of a full two years on display at the 1934 Ceremonial. The inlay was included in the exhibit of the Charles H. Kelsey Trading Co. at Zuni, and arranged by George Rummage, curio dealer for Kelsey. The inlay pieces created a sensation and received all the special prizes awarded in that classification.
The work was proclaimed as an outstanding development in Indian jewelry design holding to ancient traditions but bringing something new to the art of creating jewelry. Teddy Weahake was called the “Zuni artist” and was praised lavishly for his creations. But he told no one how he made the inlays stick. …