Zuni Sterling Silver Thunderbird drop earrings signed by artist Breon Wallace

Zuni jeweler Breon Wallace made these striking Thunderbird earrings with sterling silver posts. Black jet, Mother of Pearl, natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise, and coral are inlayed into sterling silver. "B.Wallace" and "Zuni" are engraved onto the back. Each main part of the earring measures approximately .75 inches in width x 1 inches in length, and dangles from earlobe 1.9 inches in length, from the middle silver "ball" at the very top of the part that holds the earring stud, to the bottom middle silver piece on the tail. The earrings TOGETHER weigh 10.25 grams. Thunderbirds are considered to be powerful intelligent forces of nature by many Indigenous people and have with the power of thunder. In Zuni culture, the Thunderbird is a significant mythical creature associated with power, protection, and the control of weather, particularly rain and storms. It is seen as a powerful spirit that can bring both beneficial rain for crops and destructive storms. The Thunderbird also acts as a protector against evil spirits and is considered a messenger of the Great Sun.