Huge Orville Tsinnie 14k/Sterling Sugilite 2 sided cross pendant. No identifying marks, this cross and some others I‘ll be offering were custom order items purchased directly from Orville Tsinnie approximately 25 years ago. The bezels on both sides all all the gold beads are solid 14k gold, the rest solid sterling. No purity markings or artist signatures which is common with custom order pieces done by well respected artists as the work itself is the signature, anyone familiar with Orville Tsinnie‘s work can tell who made these. Selling the cross shown in displayed only like new condition with no issues or damages. Between the gold, sugilite, silver, and time...this couldn‘t be made today for my asking price assuming Orville was still alive to make it.
Orville Tsinnie (1943-2017) was a Navajo artist and master silversmith who has been featured in the American Indian art world for over 25 years. He was born in Tuba City, Arizona in 1943 and lived and worked in Shiprock, New Mexico. Tsinnie learned jewelry making from his Hopi brother-in-law in the 1970s and has since won many awards, including a Lifetime Achievement award from the Indian Arts and Crafts Association.