Navajo
American Southwest
1950s
Coin silver
Length 30 in / 76 cm
Naja 2 3/4 x 3 1/4 in / 7 x 8.3 cm
466.27 grams
Provenance: Larry Frank, Taos, New Mexico
This Navajo necklace is worked entirely in coin silver, without turquoise, its weight and surface carrying the piece on their own. A strand of fluted silver beads graduates toward the front, with plain silver squash blossom drops running along the lower half. A stamped crescent naja hangs at the center front, its face worked with die stamped decoration rather than set with stone.
Coin silver was made from melted silver coins, the common source for Navajo silverwork before sheet and wire were widely available. The naja descends from Moorish metalwork and entered Navajo silver as both ornament and protective motif, while the squash blossom bead traces to Spanish pomegranate ornament. At 30 inches and just over 466 grams, this is a heavy, substantial necklace, well above the weight of most period examples and made to be worn for ceremony and display.
From the collection of Larry Frank, a Taos collector and scholar, co-author of Indian Silver Jewelry of the Southwest 1868 to 1930 and New Kingdom of the Saints.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Navajo
American Southwest
1950s
Coin silver
Length 30 in / 76 cm
Naja 2 3/4 x 3 1/4 in / 7 x 8.3 cm
466.27 grams
Provenance: Larry Frank, Taos, New Mexico
This Navajo necklace is worked entirely in coin silver, without turquoise, its weight and surface carrying the piece on their own. A strand of fluted silver beads graduates toward the front, with plain silver squash blossom drops running along the lower half. A stamped crescent naja hangs at the center front, its face worked with die stamped decoration rather than set with stone.
Coin silver was made from melted silver coins, the common source for Navajo silverwork before sheet and wire were widely available. The naja descends from Moorish metalwork and entered Navajo silver as both ornament and protective motif, while the squash blossom bead traces to Spanish pomegranate ornament. At 30 inches and just over 466 grams, this is a heavy, substantial necklace, well above the weight of most period examples and made to be worn for ceremony and display.
From the collection of Larry Frank, a Taos collector and scholar, co-author of Indian Silver Jewelry of the Southwest 1868 to 1930 and New Kingdom of the Saints.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
