Eagle Rock Trading Post
Indian Jewelry-Native American Jewelry-Southwest Decor
Item # 264M - Vintage 20's Turquoise Stamped Beads Squashblossom Necklace
Beautiful late 20's Navajo turquoise squashblossom necklace. Made with fifty four (54) large 10 mm hand rolled and hand stamped silver beads, ten (10) silver stamped trefold beads, and a heavy stamped turquoise naja. All strung on string or twine with a hand made shepherd's hook and triangle shaped eye clasp. Each bead has two rows of sunrise stamping around them and the trefold beads have an added row stamped around the flute. The heavy naja has turquoise set at both ends in smooth bezeled holders with a piece of twisted rope that wraps around three sides of the stone and an added center stone that's attached in the middle with twisted rope wrapping the stone completely. It also has a twisted rope set into the center of the naja that runs end to end. The stones are characteristic of those mined from the famous #8 mine in Nevada which is now depleted and no longer produces turquoise. The mine was first discovered in the late 20's and with that in mind, the necklace could possibly be early 30's with 1910 to 1920 characteristics. The naja measures 2" to 2 1/8" including the attached bale by 1 3/4" across. The necklace measures 22 1/2" long end to end with a wearable hang length of 13" long. It weighs 93.4 grams (3.29 ounces) and is unsigned. I believe the necklace is sterling silver with the naja or portions of the naja (twisted rope) being coin silver since there is a green tarnish around the twisted rope. The necklace evidently had the twine/string break at one time (notice knot in last picture) and when the previous owners repaired it they inadvertently placed a few of the trefold beads on backwards. The jagged edge of the bead extension should show on the outside of the necklace. There are two trefold beads on each side that have the smooth edge showing out. It's really not noticeable unless your looking for it. Since it still has the original twine/string and the repair knot is tight with no foreseen appearance of coming untied, I'll leave to the customer to correct it if desired. This necklace is a very fine example of early Navajo craftsmanship and is somewhat small to medium sized and not bulky like some squashblossom necklaces. $899.95