Thunderbird Necklace

This necklace would be an important contemporary addition to our Native American jewelry collection. Reano is from San Felipe and married into a family of jewelry artists in Santo Domingo Pueblo. Working with her husband, Frank, Reano creates mosaic inlay jewelry. She has described that her "inspiration stems from the jewelry worn during the traditional dances," and this necklace design incorporates movement with the fringe element.

Adding works by Native American artists is an important collecting area for the departments of Textile and Fashion Arts and the Art of the Americas. This ornament introduces a new artist to the collection yet connect deeply to other works of art at the MFA. This necklace demonstrates the passing of traditions among family members. Charlene Reano is the sister-in-law of Angelita "Angie" Reano-Owen. Reano's Thunderbird Necklace is the perfect complement to the MFA's work by Owen, especially the bracelet 1998.57, which is considered a highlight of both jewelry and Native American collections. The collections features a few works created in Santo Domingo Pueblo, an artistic center that is well known for lapidary work.