Ear pendants,

late 19th century

Turquoise has been used for jewelry in the southwestern U.S. since prehistoric times. Often referred to as the “sky stone,” the gem is of utmost significance and value to Native communities of the region. For the Hopi, turquoise is associated with the vitality and life-giving forces of corn. The shape and mosaic arrangement of these pendants suggest stacks or ears of blue corn, a sacred food staple among the Hopi. Each pendant features a single piece of haliotis shell at the center, adding glimmer in movement. These ear adornments would have been worn at traditional dance ceremonies where ears of corn played a central part.