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This beautiful Shalako bolo was crafted by Zuni artist Ida Poblano, with the silver work possibly by Mary Morgan. Set with turquoise, Mediterranean coral, jet, Mother of Pearl and abalone shell. This Shalako offers a look at the continued work of a Zuni woman that learned the distinct mosaic inlay from her husband yet added her own style. The silver plate frame is very heavy, with fine silver stamp work and is possibly the work of Mary Morgan. Mary Morgan collaborated with Ida, doing the silver work on many of her pieces, but not all. The bolo measures 4 1/2" long by 1 13/16 " wide. The very heavy silver tips are also quite nice and measure 2 1/2" long.
Leo Poblano and his last wife, Ida Vacit Poblano married around
1947. Ida Vacit learned his lapidary and carving skills, and became an
accomplished carver and jeweler in the mosaic inlay style. After his tragic death in
a firefighting accident in 1959, Ida completed many of her husband's unfinished
pieces. Her daughter Veronica stated it took her about 6 years for these pieces to be
finished and that her mother worked with a few other silversmith on the final designs of the silver. Veronica also shared the struggles her mother faced in raising all of her siblings alone and how very hard her mother worked to support their family. Their daughter Veronica continues the family tradition in her
beautiful contemporary mosaic work.
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