Navajo
American Southwest
1950
Sterling silver and natural turquoise
Length 24 in / 61 cm
Naja width 3 in / 7.6 cm
Provenance: Private collection, Winslow, Arizona
This Navajo necklace hangs six Morgan silver dollars as its drops, in place of the cast squash blossoms usually found on the form. The coins are strung along a strand of heavy fluted silver beads that graduate toward the front. A plain crescent naja hangs at the center front, set with a single natural turquoise at the top of the crescent.
Using whole coins as pendants extends the older Navajo practice of working silver from melted coinage, here keeping the Morgan dollars intact and visible. The naja descends from Moorish metalwork and entered Navajo silver as both ornament and protective motif, kept plain to set off the coins and the single turquoise. At 24 inches this is a heavy necklace, its weight carried in the thick silver beads and the six mounted dollars.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Navajo
American Southwest
1950
Sterling silver and natural turquoise
Length 24 in / 61 cm
Naja width 3 in / 7.6 cm
Provenance: Private collection, Winslow, Arizona
This Navajo necklace hangs six Morgan silver dollars as its drops, in place of the cast squash blossoms usually found on the form. The coins are strung along a strand of heavy fluted silver beads that graduate toward the front. A plain crescent naja hangs at the center front, set with a single natural turquoise at the top of the crescent.
Using whole coins as pendants extends the older Navajo practice of working silver from melted coinage, here keeping the Morgan dollars intact and visible. The naja descends from Moorish metalwork and entered Navajo silver as both ornament and protective motif, kept plain to set off the coins and the single turquoise. At 24 inches this is a heavy necklace, its weight carried in the thick silver beads and the six mounted dollars.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
