Collection of Significant Navajo and Pueblo Jewelry Arrives at Albuquerque Museum of Art and History

If you know Albuquerque artist Eason Eige, you know that when it comes to Native American art and jewelry, his eye is as good as any of the experts in the field.

For four decades, Eige has been collecting the finest examples of Navajo and Pueblo silver and lapidary work.  Every time I run into him at Albuquerque's Old Town Plaza, I inevitably drool over the fantastic jewelry that he wears on a regular basis--whether it's a 1940s green turquoise cuff or a Cody Sanderson contemporary piece

Now, Eige, has graciously donated his collection of 301 important pieces to the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History to use in its long-term and changing exhibits, as well as research and scholarly study.  The pieces will help the museum "better interpret the cultural and artistic history of the Southwest."

Eige's collection contains wonderful pieces from living and passed Navajo, Zuni and Kewa (Santo Domingo) artisans.  Much of the jewelry was purchased directly from the living artists and commissioned expressly for this exhibit, which opens on Sunday, June 27 and remains on view to the public through October 2010.

The Albuquerque Museum of Art and History is located at 2000 Mountain Road N.W..  For more information about schedules and admission visit www.cabq.gov/museum or call 505-243-7255.