Antique Vintage Sterling 925 Silver Native Navajo Pawn Disk Pearl HUGE Necklace
We have similar Disk Bead and Native items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. Markings: Sterling, Unidentified Partial Sunburst Hallmark, Tested, and Guaranteed. Country of Origin: United States, Navajo Nation. Gram Weight: 59.4 Grams. Item Measurements: The necklace has a wearable length of 21" and the beads measure from 0.30" to 1.0 wide.
Link Type: Sterling Silver Disk Beads on Cable Link Chain. Notable Features: This necklace was handmade during the Fred Harvey era.
925 sterling silver, the necklace features beautifully crafted disk beads and Navajo bench beads and was made by a Navajo silversmith circa 1960. This style of necklace, due to the shape of the beads and the overall design of the piece, is often referred to as a Navajo pearl necklace. Each bead would have been crafted entirely by hand, a time-intensive process that makes necklaces like this so expensive and highly sought after by collectors.There are thirty-five disk beads in this necklace and four bench beads located on either end near the hook clasp. The disk beads graduate in size along the necklace with the largest resting in the center. Each of the disks has been engraved with a lovely pattern depicting an unfolding, multi-petaled flower. Completing this substantial necklace is a hook clasp for comfortable and secure wear. When worn, this necklace dangles below the collarbone with the disk beads resting flat against the decolletage on most people.
An expertly crafted piece of antique Navajo jewelry, this necklace would make a valuable addition to any antique jewelry collection as well as a beautiful gift. Don't miss your chance to preserve this piece of cultural history.
A tarnish has developed on the sterling silver, giving it an antique quality which we believe is quite lovely. This listing is for the item only. This beautiful piece was made by a very talented Native American silversmith.
It features handcrafted silversmith work throughout. Antique Native American jewelry is very rare to find. This is due to these pieces being made for reservation and personal use before the tourist trade became popular. Very few pieces were made and even less survived to today. The concept of Pawn, Old Pawn, and Dead Pawn Native American Jewelry came to be in the 1800s.When a loan wasnt repaid, the item became known as either Old Pawn or Dead Pawn. The Navajo Nation sits on 27,000 square miles within the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The Navajo have a rich history and culture and have become known for creating some of the finest sterling silver and turquoise jewelry, incorporating their own traditional motifs with silversmithing. The squash blossom necklace is perhaps one the most famous Navajo styles produced, along with turquoise inlay rings. Turquoise is an important stone in Navajo culture; symbolizing happiness, good fortune, and good health.
The first Navajo silversmith, Atsidi Sani, was taught around 1865 by a Mexican silversmith. Atsidi Sani, in turn, taught his four sons, who then started teaching other Navajo artisans.
In the beginning, Navajo artisans created sterling silver jewelry for themselves and others in the Navajo Nation. The item "Antique Vintage Sterling 925 Silver Native Navajo Pawn Disk Pearl HUGE Necklace" is in sale since Sunday, December 2, 2018. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Ethnic, Regional & Tribal\Native American\Necklaces & Pendants". The seller is "abeautifultimeco" and is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Tribal Affiliation: Navajo
- Metal: Sterling Silver
- Metal Purity: .925
- Jewelry Type: Necklaces
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
- Country of Origin: United States, Navajo Nation
- Ethnic Origin: Navajo
- Signed?: Signed
- Modified Item: No
- Featured Refinements: Navajo Pearls