Antique/Vtg Very Large Navajo Squash Blossom Necklace. Silver/Turquoise

Very large turquoise squash blossom necklace. This stunning piece has a unique style naja, with an astonishing five turquoise cabochons surrounded by silver dots with hand stamped designs. Along the two strands of silver beads are ten turquoise cabochons of astonishing similar size, with hand stamped designs surrounding the outer edges. The necklace is strung on a silver link chain with silver findings.

SIZE: This necklace measures 29 inches around the neck and the naja measures 4- 3/8 inches long (from top to bottom) x 3- 1/4 inches wide at the widest part. The total weight for this item is a whopping 448.2 grams. CONDITION: Good for its age, normal wear expected. Some more observations: Probably Morenci turquoise - black matrix and deep blue color with flashes of light matrix. All hand made - each stone has the silver back individually hand cut. The beads are hand made. That greatly increases the labor on a piece like this, and its value. The fact that it is unsigned is a clue to its age, as many Navajos did not sign their work until it became common in the 60s to do so.

To many Indians (and me) the worth of a piece of art lies in its beauty, or its vibe, or the emotion it invokes, not in who made it. I realize that some find it cool to own an ugly picture by a famous artist, and I cannot claim to be totally immune, but most of us have to earn our worth every day, which is not a bad system.

Note that this necklace does not have the petals usual to a'squash blossom' necklace. Anything else would be misleading. In any event, this is a great piece by a talented smith, who obtained or was furnished some remarkable turquoise and was inspired to make this.

This item is in the category "Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\Native American: US\1935-Now\Jewelry". The seller is "pnpalmharbor" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada.

Origin: New Mexico or Arizona
Provenance: Winders Collections
Tribal Affiliation: Navajo
Artisan: Unknown - antique
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Culture: Native American: US
Handmade: Yes
Modified Item: No