Vintage Zuni Needlepoint Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace by Wytsalucy

One and Only

This vintage Zuni Squash Blossom necklace by an artist with the last name Wytsalucy evokes a personal story, so here goes...

They didn't have a whole lot in the way that Americans often measure things. Their house was small, their car was older and they did most of their shopping at K-Mart, but every single year, no matter how tight money was, they'd find a way to their log cabin in New Mexico.

The trips started back when they were just kids in love, barely teenagers, and he asked her on his family's annual summer vacation to the New Mexico mountains, to be chaperoned by her mother, of course. They fell hard for each other riding horseback under those big mountain skies.

A couple decades later now with two daughters in tow, they continued their annual pilgrimage to the Southwest by way of old Route 66. For all these years, they'd admired the Native American jewelry they'd seen at stops along the way - those turquoise stones calling like the blue New Mexico sky.

He'd always wanted to buy her a squash blossom necklace - not a touristy knock-off but the real thing - Native American handmade. Money for a real squash blossom necklace was never in the budget, though. 

She knew he couldn't really afford to buy her one, so she didn't ever ask. Sometimes, though, she imagined wearing one, this incredible symbol of the American Southwest and the culture they'd come to love. 

One summer, on I-40 somewhere west of Albuquerque, it happened.

They'd spent the night in Old Town Albuquerque on their way back home after an unforgettable New Mexico summer. That morning, they walked into a little Native American jewelry shop in the Old Town Plaza. They spotted it almost immediately - a smaller Zuni squash blossom - delicate needlepoint of bright blue turquoise. She didn't want to try it on because she didn't want to fall for something she couldn't have, but he asked her to anyway. She thinks it was the only squash blossom necklace she ever actually tried on, and it was perfect! Made for her! They both knew it, but she quickly brushed it off, made a comment about how she didn't need any jewelry - how it was too fancy for her. He nodded and they left.

Their daughters - sharp-eyed and also wanting their beloved mother to have something nice - had caught the exchange. They also saw the glint in their dad's eye and knew the time had come for their mom to finally have her one special necklace. They also knew their Dad loved to orchestrate surprises, and they gladly assisted.

One daughter quickly ushered Mom into another shop to create a much-needed diversion. Dad and the other daughter rushed back into the Native jewelry store where the salesperson knowingly reached back into the jewelry case.

He didn't give it to her right away. He waited until they were an hour or so down the highway, the girls in the backseat buzzing with excitement. One hand on the wheel and one hand reaching into the glovebox, he pulled out a plain brown box. 

"John, what did you do?" she asked. 

"Open it!" they all exclaimed in unison.

She peeled back the tissue paper with a broadening smile on her face. "When did you go back?" 

His joy in gifting her that squash blossom was worth every penny and more. 

It was the only squash blossom she ever had, but it was enough. And the story of her squash blossom surprise became even more significant to her and her daughters in the coming years after his early death. 

I am one of those two daughters and the squash blossom belonged to my mother. It's now a piece of my family's history. My parents built a life grounded in love, faith, quiet generosity and deep appreciation for the culture, art and land of the Southwest. That necklace remains a cherished reminder of everything my parents shared.

This vintage Zuni squash blossom necklace touched my heart when it arrived here at Turquoise & Tufa because it's similar to mom's one and only. It immediately brought back one of my most treasured memories - the day that Dad presented Mom with her own. 

Like Mom's, this necklace has the power to create meaning and expression. It's also smaller, daintier and of the precise needlepoint inlay style. It's yet another story just waiting to be told. 

Artist & Dimensions: This one is by a Zuni artist with the last name Wytsalucy as signed on the reverse It measures 20" from end to end plus a naja that is 2 1/4". Each blossom is 1 1/8".