Nos. 50, 51, 52, 53
Maria Samora
No. 50
Sweet Pea set of pendant, bracelet, and earrings. In the draw sale, ballots for the set will be drawn first. If no ballots for the entire set have been placed, then ballots for the individual pieces (Lots 50, 51, and 52) will be drawn.
$8,500 set
No. 51
Sweet Pea Naja Pendant with Turquoise, oxidized sterling silver, 18K yellow gold, turquoise
$3,500
No. 52
Sweet Pea Lace Bracelet, oxidized sterling silver, 18K yellow gold, 17 diamonds
$4,200
No. 53
Sweet Pea Lace Earrings, oxidized sterling silver
$895
Creating jewelry that combines Pueblo influences with Taos’s “simple and grounded lifestyle,” Maria Samora (Taos Pueblo) makes wearable art with her husband, Kevin Rebholtz, at Samora Studio. After college, when she embarked on an intensive course with a master goldsmith, Samora realized that jewelry was her passion. Now known for clean designs, Samora states, “The purpose of my art is to accentuate the body and capture the movement of the human form.” Her work is inspired not only by Pueblo tradition but also from the hands-on manipulation of patinas, stones, textures, and metals. Drawing from nature, Samora designs can be described as “natural forms made contemporary.”
Of these three works, Samora writes: “Symbolizing blissful memories, friendship, and gratitude, each piece in this collection is meticulously crafted to reflect the elegance and richness of our culture. Inspired by our ancestors and their connection to the squash blossom Naja necklaces. The Naja is traditionally the crescent shape that acts as a talisman for strength. It is a symbol of creating something beautiful out of despair, of rising from the ashes, of fertility and new life.
“This collection beautifully combines my rich heritage of Native American culture with modern design elements, creating a unique blend of tradition and contemporary.”