I picked this thing up, flipped it over once, and immediately smiled.
You can tell when an artist was having fun.
Most jewelers would’ve stopped after the coral. Or maybe after the turquoise. Dan Simplicio kept going. “Let’s carve every leaf. Let’s weave a basket. Let’s make the whole thing feel like someone just walked out of the desert carrying home something beautiful.”
That’s exactly what this feels like.
Why This Piece Matters
Dan Simplicio is one of the foundational names in classic Zuni jewelry. His work helped define the sculptural style that made mid-century Zuni craftsmanship famous—lush silver foliage, vibrant turquoise, and naturally branching Mediterranean coral brought together in compositions that feel alive.
This piece is a perfect example of that philosophy. Instead of arranging stones into a simple pattern, Simplicio creates an entire scene. The coral becomes living branches, the turquoise becomes blossoms nestled among hand-carved leaves, and the woven basket at the base ties everything together into a desert bouquet.
The craftsmanship is remarkable throughout. Every leaf was individually fabricated and engraved. The branch coral was allowed to keep its organic character rather than being forced into symmetry, giving the entire composition natural movement. Even after decades, the piece still invites you to slow down and discover another little detail hidden among the silverwork.
This isn’t simply jewelry. It’s wearable Southwestern sculpture from one of the artists who helped define an era.
Artifact Registry
Maker: Dan Simplicio
Tribe: Zuni
Materials: Sterling Silver, Natural Mediterranean Coral, Natural Turquoise
Weight: 94 grams
Size: Approximately 4 inches
Construction: Hand-fabricated sculptural pin with pendant bail
Era: Mid-20th Century
Collector’s Gallery Value: $3,250
Curator’s Field Observation
This brooch demonstrates many of the hallmarks collectors seek in Dan Simplicio’s work. The deeply chased silver leaves create dramatic texture, while twisted wire accents add rhythm throughout the composition. The natural branch coral flows through the design without losing its organic form, giving the piece a sense of life that couldn’t be achieved with cut stones alone.
The turquoise displays a beautiful range of color, from soft robin’s egg blue to richer green-blue tones, adding depth and contrast against the vivid coral. At the base, the meticulously fabricated basket acts as both a visual anchor and a storytelling element, completing the impression of freshly gathered desert flora.
Despite its impressive size, the composition remains balanced from every angle, with each element contributing to the overall harmony rather than competing for attention.
Eric’s Notes from the Field
This is one of those pieces that makes me wish jewelry could talk.
I’d love to know what Dan was looking at when he built this. Was it a hillside after the rain? A bundle of branches someone carried home? Or was it just something he saw in his head and decided silver was the only way to explain it?
Whatever the answer is, he absolutely nailed it.
This is the kind of piece you don’t outgrow. Twenty years from now you’ll still be finding little details you never noticed before.
I picked this thing up, flipped it over once, and immediately smiled.
You can tell when an artist was having fun.
Most jewelers would’ve stopped after the coral. Or maybe after the turquoise. Dan Simplicio kept going. “Let’s carve every leaf. Let’s weave a basket. Let’s make the whole thing feel like someone just walked out of the desert carrying home something beautiful.”
That’s exactly what this feels like.
Why This Piece Matters
Dan Simplicio is one of the foundational names in classic Zuni jewelry. His work helped define the sculptural style that made mid-century Zuni craftsmanship famous—lush silver foliage, vibrant turquoise, and naturally branching Mediterranean coral brought together in compositions that feel alive.
This piece is a perfect example of that philosophy. Instead of arranging stones into a simple pattern, Simplicio creates an entire scene. The coral becomes living branches, the turquoise becomes blossoms nestled among hand-carved leaves, and the woven basket at the base ties everything together into a desert bouquet.
The craftsmanship is remarkable throughout. Every leaf was individually fabricated and engraved. The branch coral was allowed to keep its organic character rather than being forced into symmetry, giving the entire composition natural movement. Even after decades, the piece still invites you to slow down and discover another little detail hidden among the silverwork.
This isn’t simply jewelry. It’s wearable Southwestern sculpture from one of the artists who helped define an era.
Artifact Registry
Maker: Dan Simplicio
Tribe: Zuni
Materials: Sterling Silver, Natural Mediterranean Coral, Natural Turquoise
Weight: 94 grams
Size: Approximately 4 inches
Construction: Hand-fabricated sculptural pin with pendant bail
Era: Mid-20th Century
Collector’s Gallery Value: $3,250
Curator’s Field Observation
This brooch demonstrates many of the hallmarks collectors seek in Dan Simplicio’s work. The deeply chased silver leaves create dramatic texture, while twisted wire accents add rhythm throughout the composition. The natural branch coral flows through the design without losing its organic form, giving the piece a sense of life that couldn’t be achieved with cut stones alone.
The turquoise displays a beautiful range of color, from soft robin’s egg blue to richer green-blue tones, adding depth and contrast against the vivid coral. At the base, the meticulously fabricated basket acts as both a visual anchor and a storytelling element, completing the impression of freshly gathered desert flora.
Despite its impressive size, the composition remains balanced from every angle, with each element contributing to the overall harmony rather than competing for attention.
Eric’s Notes from the Field
This is one of those pieces that makes me wish jewelry could talk.
I’d love to know what Dan was looking at when he built this. Was it a hillside after the rain? A bundle of branches someone carried home? Or was it just something he saw in his head and decided silver was the only way to explain it?
Whatever the answer is, he absolutely nailed it.
This is the kind of piece you don’t outgrow. Twenty years from now you’ll still be finding little details you never noticed before.
