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Thunderbird Necklace
Charlene Sanchez Reano (San Felipe Pueblo, born in 1960)
Frank Reano (Kewa (San Domingo Pueblo), 1962 – 2021)
Frank Reano (Kewa (San Domingo Pueblo), 1962 – 2021)
Native American, San Felipe Pueblo and Santo Domingo Pueblo
2009
Medium/Technique
Turquoise, spiny oyster shell, jet, mother of pearl, lapis lazuli, melon shell
Dimensions
Length: 40.6 cm (16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Vicki Howard
Accession Number2021.326
CollectionsJewelry, Contemporary Art
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Necklaces and neck bands
This necklace would be an important contemporary addition to our Native American jewelry collection. Reano is from San Felipe and married into a family of jewelry artists in Santo Domingo Pueblo. Working with her husband, Frank, Reano creates mosaic inlay jewelry. She has described that her "inspiration stems from the jewelry worn during the traditional dances," and this necklace design incorporates movement with the fringe element.
Adding works by Native American artists is an important collecting area for the departments of Textile and Fashion Arts and the Art of the Americas. This ornament introduces a new artist to the collection yet connect deeply to other works of art at the MFA. This necklace demonstrates the passing of traditions among family members. Charlene Reano is the sister-in-law of Angelita "Angie" Reano-Owen. Reano's Thunderbird Necklace is the perfect complement to the MFA's work by Owen, especially the bracelet 1998.57, which is considered a highlight of both jewelry and Native American collections. The collections features a few works created in Santo Domingo Pueblo, an artistic center that is well known for lapidary work.
Adding works by Native American artists is an important collecting area for the departments of Textile and Fashion Arts and the Art of the Americas. This ornament introduces a new artist to the collection yet connect deeply to other works of art at the MFA. This necklace demonstrates the passing of traditions among family members. Charlene Reano is the sister-in-law of Angelita "Angie" Reano-Owen. Reano's Thunderbird Necklace is the perfect complement to the MFA's work by Owen, especially the bracelet 1998.57, which is considered a highlight of both jewelry and Native American collections. The collections features a few works created in Santo Domingo Pueblo, an artistic center that is well known for lapidary work.
DescriptionReversible necklace by inlaying 49 tabs with a different combination of colors on each side. One side features blue turquoise, dark orange spiny oyster shell, black jet and white, black and gold mother of pearl in a design that represents a stylized thunderbird. The reverse side is dominated by blue turquoise with a ring of deep orangey spiny oyster shell in the center, and highlights of dark blue lapis, creamy melon shell and shiny white mother of pearl.
Provenance2012, sold by the Indian Craft Shop, Washington, D.C. to Vicki Howard, Arlington, VA; 2021, gift of Howard to the MFA. (Accession date: April 14, 2021)