Navajo
American Southwest
1960
Sterling silver and natural turquoise
Length 22 in / 56 cm
Naja 2 1/2 in / 6.4 cm
121 grams
Provenance: Private collection, Taos, New Mexico
This Navajo necklace uses teardrop shadow box settings, each freeform turquoise recessed inside a deep silver frame with a stamped border. A strand of silver beads carries the row of teardrop stations, with silver drops between them, down to a matching teardrop shadow box naja at the center front. The recessed frames and oxidized ground give the piece a dark, sculptural surface that sets off each stone.
The shadow box technique developed in mid twentieth century Navajo silverwork, recessing the stone below a stamped silver border so the frame casts a shadow around it. The naja descends from Moorish metalwork and entered Navajo silver as both ornament and protective motif, here worked in the same teardrop shadow box form as the blossoms. At 22 inches and 121 grams, the necklace is a wearable length and lighter than many period squash blossoms.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Navajo
American Southwest
1960
Sterling silver and natural turquoise
Length 22 in / 56 cm
Naja 2 1/2 in / 6.4 cm
121 grams
Provenance: Private collection, Taos, New Mexico
This Navajo necklace uses teardrop shadow box settings, each freeform turquoise recessed inside a deep silver frame with a stamped border. A strand of silver beads carries the row of teardrop stations, with silver drops between them, down to a matching teardrop shadow box naja at the center front. The recessed frames and oxidized ground give the piece a dark, sculptural surface that sets off each stone.
The shadow box technique developed in mid twentieth century Navajo silverwork, recessing the stone below a stamped silver border so the frame casts a shadow around it. The naja descends from Moorish metalwork and entered Navajo silver as both ornament and protective motif, here worked in the same teardrop shadow box form as the blossoms. At 22 inches and 121 grams, the necklace is a wearable length and lighter than many period squash blossoms.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
