Creation Date

1931 – 1955

Description

"A silver brooch in a sunburst design, set with one round turquoise in the center and many tear-drop turquoise stones radiating from it. This pin was given to me (Cleora Helbing) when I retired from the Indian Service by Clara Gonzales who worked with the Zunis as a teacher and principal for many years. When she retired, the president of the U.S. called her in to Washington and presented her with the Distinguished Service Award. The pin was made by Chester Mahooty."
Chester B. Mahooty was an internationally known singer, dancer, and silversmith.
For 28 years, Mahooty's Zuni Rainbow Dancers toured throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. His vast knowledge of songs, drum, and Pow Wow and Zuni dances led to an invitation to join the American Indian Dance Theatre in 1987.
Mahooty served as a Zuni Pueblo tribal councilman and testified for the Religious Freedom Act, which in 1978 assured Native Americans the right to practice their religious and cultural traditions. The Zuni, one of 19 Pueblo tribes, live in New Mexico and are considered direct descendants of the ancient Anasazi.
A master silversmith, Mahooty was noted for his exceptionally large turquoise jewelry and wore 65 pounds of turquoise and silver when fully dressed in his Zuni attire.
Mahooty moved to the Rochester area in 1993, where he continued to teach Zuni songs and dances.