Creation Date

1931 – 1955

Description

"A tiny cross of silver, set with six round turquoise stones. This was made by Chester Mahooty, a full-blood Zuni."
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.