Zuni Sunface Information (2 of 4)

Zuni SunfaceFrom a craftsmanship perspective, the Zuni Sunface is one of the pinnacles of Zuni inlay artistry; and is prized among those who appreciate turquoise jewelry..  It requires exacting cuts and an extremely high level of skill to appropriately create the fine inlay used in the Sunface.  Most typically the Sunface is crafted in a full circular motif.  The center inlay will represent the face of the Sun.  The forehead is usually split into two (sometimes three) sections.  Depending on the complexity and size of the piece, the two sections can be single cabochons or can be finely inlaid works in and of themselves.  The two sections represent two important concepts.  The first is the pairing of oneself with the family.  Family is as critical to life as food and water to the Zuni people, yet they also understand that each person is unique and special.  Each one requires the other, and as such, both become represented as a main component of the Sunface.  The other meaning is to symbolize the coming and going of the sun; sunrise and sunset or the day and night.  The continuity of these events gives hope and stability to the Zuni, and again, neither can exist without the other.

The remaining lower section is made up of the eyes and mouth.  The eyes are most typically represented as long rectangular shapes almost always crafted in black (either jet or onyx).  These “slits” are the eyes of the Sun, peering out upon all of us.  The Zuni do not add detail to the eyes for reasons of respect.  The eyes are “windows of the soul” and as such an artist cannot assume to know what lies within.  Therefore they are represented by the black rectangles.  The mouth is typically round, but can be crafted out of almost any stone.  This is the same for the remaining section of the face.  Mother of pearl is most common, but all stones have been used.  The mouth is fashioned as a simple circle for several reasons.  First, this maintains the continuity represented by the Sunface; the circle representing the cycle of life and death, day and night.  Another reason often associated with the simple circle design of the mouth is that the Sun is neither good nor bad, and thus no smile or frown is associated with the Sunface.  It is simply a mouth.

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