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NA128 |
DAZZLING PINK CORAL ( Native American Indian Jewelry Zuni Pink
Coral Necklace ): One of the distinctive characteristics of
Southwest Indian jewelry is its dazzling diversity of color created by
the intermingling of a variety of stones, shells and metals. This
wonderful Angelskin Coral necklace is an estate piece that was purchased
at the Santa Fe Indian Market in 1985. Mediterranean Coral, was
introduced to Zuni artisans by traders in the late 1930’s. The
variations in coral from blood red to pale pink – and its scarceness –
still make it a highly coveted material. Multiple-strand necklaces in
coral are a sign of prestige and wealth; coral is also associated with
good luck and a long life. Most native artists purchase their coral
beads already cut, polished and drilled. Then they restring them into
necklaces. I just love this four strand cylindrical shaped pink coral
necklace because of the natural shaped and shaded beads. There are tiny
olive shell heishi beads between each coral bead and at the top of the
necklace. They are very different from the beaded strands where every
bead is alike. This necklace goes over your head and is finished off
with a “squaw wrap” cotton closure. Developed before commercial
fasteners were available; it is still a preferred style for many Native
American artists. Coral has dramatically increased in price and will
continue to do so. This is a necklace that you don’t want to pass up.
Condition: Excellent.
Size: 34 ½” long, squaw wrap is 6” long and very soft and comfortable. |
ON LAYAWAY! |

NA129 |
ANCIENT IVORY SLICES ( Native American Indian Jewelry Navajo
Fossilized Ivory Bracelet ): Slices of fossilized ivory have been
bezel set in this wonderful Navajo cuff bracelet from my personal
collection. There are seven pieces of ivory ranging in color from
off-white to brown set in a sterling silver band. This bracelet looks
terrific when worn with Turquoise or Coral jewelry. By itself, this
ivory cuff blends beautifully with any color, especially fashion
favorites brown, green and blue. The inside of the band is hallmarked
“M. Lee”, “Sterling”. If this doesn’t draw compliments whenever you wear
it - change your friends!
Condition: Excellent.
Size: Just over ¾” wide. Stones are 1/4” deep and vary slightly in size.
The center stone is ¾” high. Inner circumference 6 1/2”, including
opening. Opening can be made smaller. Will fit a medium wrist as is. |
SOLD! |

NA130 |
NIGHT SKY LITTLE BEAR ( Native American Indian Jewelry Navajo
Ring ): This Navajo ring is quite a marvel – the quality of the
silver, turquoise and mother-of-pearl inlay is so remarkable! The jet
black bear has three different sized dots and circles inlayed all across
the face of the piece. With a turquoise zigzag heartline running through
it, a comet speeding downward and a shell moon, the whole bear takes on
the appearance of the constellation Ursa Minor in the night time sky.
Its name is Latin for “little bear”. This bear is set in Sterling Silver
and mounted on a triple shank ring band. The hallmark on the bear reads
“N?D” and “Sterling”. The ring fits my pinky finger and must have
originally been a pin or a pendant that was converted into a ring, thus
obscuring part of the hallmark. The current ring band reassures a size 5
1/2, perfect for petite fingers. Both delicate and dazzling, this
guardian bear spirit will delight you.
Condition: Excellent. Some fine scratches from wear only visible under
magnification.
Size: Bear measures 1 3/4” wide, 3/4" high, just over 1/8” deep. Ring
band is 1/8” wide and currently a size 5 1/2. |
SOLD! |

NA126 |
GEOMETRIC INLAY ( Vintage Native American Indian Jewelry Navajo Coral
Ring ): I have had several requests for more coral Native American
pieces. Please understand that Mediterranean red coral is one of the
most expensive stones that Navajo jewelers work with. (The photo with
the white background shows the coral's truest deep red color.) This
striking and multi-tiered ring is an excellent example of one of the
more contemporary designer’s work. (c. 1988) Very labor intensive, the
top coral stone is hand inlayed with a Sterling Silver stripe accented
by lines of jet. It is mounted in a square cut bezel setting. The bottom
tier – around the edges – is hand inlayed with a matching red coral, jet
and opal. The Sterling Silver ring band is wide at the shank and tapers
to a thinner comfortable back. The current ring size is a 7. Because of
the wide shank it will fit a 6 ½ just fine. The shank can be made larger
by a good jeweler. The ring is hallmarked, but the maker is unknown to
me. This ring is a marvel of skill and artistry - the detail is a
pleasure to sturdy. Coral is flattering to all skin tones and the
proportions are elegant. An inspired gift giving idea! Condition:
Excellent. Size: 1 1/8” high, 7/8” wide, tapering to 3/4” wide, 3/8”
deep. Ring band is 3/8” at shank tapering to 1/4” at the center back. |
$300.00 |

NA125 |
HOOP DANCERS ( Vintage Native American Indian Jewelry Navajo
Earrings ): Fashion favors hoop earrings again and these
Navajo beauties are a knockout. (c. 1985) Large bezel set
greenish-blue turquoise stones with lots of brown matrix clip
onto your ears. I am partial to stones with the wonderful
character that matrix adds. The Sterling Silver hoops are not
flat, but slightly raised on the inside. Vivid drops of bezel
set ox-blood coral dance in the center of the hoops. There is no
hallmark on these marvelous clip back earrings. Coral has become
almost impossible to obtain any longer since the ban on
Mediterranean coral has been imposed. Delightful and light to
wear, these sophisticated hoops add an understated elegance to
your collection. Condition: Excellent. Size: 2” long from top of
turquoise stone to bottom of hoop. Sterling hook is 1 3/4” wide.
Coral dangle inside the hoop is 3/4” long. The large oval
turquoise stone is 1” long 3/4” wide, 1/8” deep. |
$200.00 |
 NA012
|
CORAL & CORN COBS ( Native American Indian Navajo
Earrings ): This pair
of corn cob earrings has been in my private collection for at
least 35 years. (c. 1970) A signed pair of pierced earrings
depicting a favorite Native American motif – food grown from
mother earth. These hand made corn cobs have all of their little
kernels exposed along with 3 silky leaves. Two of the leaves are
curved at the bottom as if they had been pulled open and the
third leaf gracefully curves up to the post. My favorite touch
is the bezel set oxblood coral at the bottom. These coral pieces
are sought out by collectors because of the scarcity of true
coral. The value of Native American jewelry set with coral has
risen tremendously in recent years and will go nowhere but up!
These pierced earrings are unusual and fun to wear. Condition:
Excellent. Size: 2 ½” high, 3/4” at wide point.
|
$125.00
|

NA120 |
FEATHERS IN FLIGHT ( Vintage Native American Indian Navajo
Jewelry Necklace ): This bold example of Navajo silversmith work was
obtained from an estate about 25 years ago. Two huge mirror image
feathers form the sides of the necklace. They have overlay wirework down
the center and at the bottom of both sides. I love the way the teardrop
shaped pendant is suspended from a curved bar – it moves with ease and
is a clever change from the usual bale attachment. The Sterling Silver
pendant itself features stampwork, silver wire twists and a bezel set
jet teardrop at its center. The chain attached to the feathers is an
attractive bar and ring design with a spring ring closure marked
“Sterling”. You can adjust the length of the necklace. The back is
marked “Sterling” with the maker’s mark “H”. (Artist unknown) This
necklace is a splendid example of classic Navajo techniques. Wonderful
for day or night wear, picture this on any color and you will have a
versatile piece of jewelry for all occasions. Condition: Excellent.
Size: Entire necklace is 24” long. The pendant drop is 2” long, 1 ½”
wide. Each feather is 3” long, 1” wide. |
SOLD! |

NA119 |
SHELL QUACKERS ( Vintage Native American Indian Zuni Duck
Fetish Necklace ): Now, you don’t see this every day! I am parting
with my Vintage (c. 1976) duck fetish necklace to make room for new
pieces in my jewelry collection. The Zuni people are famous for their
animal carvings, often arranged in what are known as fetish necklaces.
At its most fundamental level, a fetish is “an object natural or man
made in which the spirit is thought to reside and can be used for good
or evil”. The fetish necklaces are designed to display the carver’s work
while providing a vibrant representation of nature. This charming
necklace is comprised of 11 ducks. Their bodies are made of shell,
tipped with jet. Pipestone forms the neck, the duck heads are made of
turquoise with golden mother-of-pearl beaks and tiny jet eyes. There are
5 ducks on each side with a bottom duck strung head up to form the
centerpiece of the necklace. Tiny olive shell heishi beads are strung
between the ducks with a Sterling Silver cone hook and eye closure.
These delightful ducks are beautifully executed adding a touch of whimsy
to any collection. Condition: Excellent. There is an extra bit of string
at the top of each side. This is done so that the necklace retains its
flexibility when wearing. Size: 24” long. Each duck is 1 3/4” long, 3/4”
high, 7/8” wide. |
$200.00 |

NA117 |
GREEK KEY AND TEAR DROP ( Vintage Native American Indian Navajo
Ring ): An estate piece, I believe that this Greek Key and large
teardrop turquoise ring was purchased in the 1980’s. The Navajo were
quick to appropriate designs from many sources and adapt them to their
own classical style. This regal ring features a key design outlining one
edge of the magnificently black veined large stone. The workmanship is
creative and highly skilled. Turquoise symbolizes the sky and water; it
is also associated with healing and protection. The ring band is ¼” wide
with a 4 part split shank and is signed “Jackson” and “Sterling”. This
Jackson ring is a ring size 9 ¼, but it fits a smaller finger because
the ring band is wide. (The ring band can be sized.) I wore it on my
largest finger, rather than change the size. Classic in its simplicity,
striking in its size, this is a ring that you will want to treasure for
a lifetime. Condition: Excellent. Size: 2” long, 1” wide. Ring size 9 ¼. |
$150.00 |

NA110 |
PHILLIP HONANIE HOPI PUEBLO ( Vintage Native American Indian
Hopi Belt Buckle ): From my personal collection I am offering this
superb Sterling Silver Hopi belt buckle. I purchased it in Santa Fe
about 35 years ago. The buckle was made by Phillip Honanie, a prominent
Hopi artist featured in the book “American Jewelry I: 1,200 Artist’s
Biographies” (pg. 178). The deeply etched overlay design is of a pueblo
under a crescent moon and star filled sky. The oval shape is very
comfortable to wear and this buckle can be worn by either a woman or a
man. A good sized buckle, it is designed to snap on to a belt and the
hook goes into the eye of the belt. The back is hallmarked with Phil’s
“friendship” mark and stamped “Sterling”. Go West in the Best!
Condition: Excellent. Size: 3 ½” wide, 2 ¼” high. Slight dome to the
oval so that it slides thru belt without marking the leather. |
SOLD! |

NA108 |
STRIPES IN STONE ( Native American Indian Zuni Channel Inlay
Bracelet ): Zuni jewelers are well known for their spectacular work
setting cut stones in mosaic designs, both stone-to-stone inlay and
channel inlay, where a thin channel of silver separates the individual
stones. This stunning inlay Zuni bracelet unites turquoise, sugilite and
deep blue lapis to produce a dynamite combination. The superbly crafted
design of the inlay uses the intense colors of the stones to create a
small masterpiece of the jeweler’s art. (Each stone has been hand cut
and fitted into the channel inlay stripes and then polished.) The inside
of this bracelet bears the hallmark “RC” (artist unknown to me) and is
stamped “Sterling”. This is a bracelet of solid weight and has a safety
chain attached. A symphony in color to please your eye and captivate
your imagination. Condition: Excellent. Size: Curved bracelet is 1 1/8”
wide, 1/4” deep. Inner circumference is 5” plus a 1” opening. Fits a
small wrist only. Cannot be sized. |
$250.00 |

NA104 |
SPECTACULAR SCRIMSHAW ( Native American Indian Scrimshaw
Pendant ): Extravagant in size and remarkable in quality – are
phrases that only begin to describe this rare and spectacular scrimshaw
pendant. (An estate purchase. Crafted c. 1960.) It appears to be the
work of 2 different artists. The Sterling Silver mount is signed by
Navajo silversmith “R. Bennett” and the colorful scrimshaw design work
has the initials “JMT” engraved near the bottom. The subject of the
scene is definitely Hopi, so it is probably a Hopi/Navajo collaboration.
Scrimshaw work is engraved on a surface and then usually highlighted
with black, but in this case colorful, pigment. The precision and
delicacy of the work produce a striking visual effect – clearly the work
of a master craftsman. (You can see the fine etched marks in the
close-up photos and that of the initials.) The colorful scene is rich in
symbolism. The Tewa sun face at the top surveys the Hopi dancer, as a
trio of mudheads appears at the left. I am uncertain about the material
that is used as the base of this miniature work of art. It is not ivory.
It could be bone or possibly “Vegetable Ivory” – a nut palm which
polishes to an incredible likeness of ivory and whose hardness and
durability rival that of ivory. There is a pendant hook on the back
side. This is a rare, one-of-a-kind, piece of Native American jewelry.
It will linger in your memory. Condition: Excellent. Size: 3 1/8” long,
2” wide, 3/8” deep. |
$500.00 |

NA103 |
JOURNEY TO THE HOPI WORLD ( Native American Indian Hopi Bolo
Tie ): I am pleased to be able to offer you this outstanding bolo
tie by award winning Hopi Artist Chalmers Day. This exquisite Sterling
Silver Hopi design is very sophisticated with extremely detailed overlay
work. The quality of his artistry is exceptional as seen in this bolo,
which combines rain, water and village scenes in one piece. The most
complex Hopi designer of whom I know, his work is often identified by
the tiny round circle as seen on the left lower half of this bolo.
Chalmers Day’s jewelry takes one on a journey into the Hopi world. His
designs portray the life of the Hopi, their migrations, ceremonies and
spiritual figures. He is recognized as one of the greatest overlay
jewelers in history. (See “American Indian Jewelry I – 1200 Artist
Biographies” Page 133.) There is a clamp style release on the back of
the bolo and the Chalmers Day hallmark of a cloud is impressed in the
silver. The braided tie is black leather with long tapered Sterling
Silver tips and dangling cones. His awards are to numerous to list. I
used to stand in line at 7 AM at the Santa Fe Indian Market to be able
to purchase one of the 7 or 8 pieces he had made. This is the finest
Hopi work available. It is a bolo that will stand out in any collection.
Condition: Excellent. This is part of our personal collection and was
purchased over 20 years ago. Size: Silver overlay design 2 3/4” high, 1
3/4” wide. Braided tie plus tips 47” long. |
SOLD! |

NA102 |
FLASHES OF FIRE
( Native American Indian Jewelry Zuni / Navajo Bracelet ): I am
pleased to offer this sparkling angelskin Coral & Opal Channel Inlay
Cuff Bracelet. (c. 1985) The pink of the coral set against the flash and
sparkle of the opal pieces is a killer combination. Fine and precise
workmanship is needed to cut and inlay these pieces of stone separated
by fine Sterling Silver lines. Channel inlay is a technique usually
associated with Zuni craftsman, but it is now equally popular with
Navajo artists. Ray Tracy is a prominent Navajo jewelry designer who has
used this contemporary inlay method. This bracelet is hallmarked “DD”
and marked “Sterling”. The
opals used in this inlay work are referred to as “lab opals”. They are
man made and commonly used by Native American artists. Feminine and
flattering, this bracelet looks superb on your wrist and the color
combination is unbeatable. Condition: Excellent. Size: 3/4” wide, 1/8”
thick, inner dimension 6 5/8” including 1” opening. My wrist is 6 1/2”
over the wrist bone and it fits me perfectly. This bracelet cannot
be made wider. It will fit a medium wrist. |
$225.00 |
NA094
|
SILVER DUST ( Native American Indian Navajo Cuff Bracelet ): As
Native American artists master new techniques the look of Southwestern
jewelry has been expanding in many directions. This Navajo bracelet,
signed “Nez”, is an example of the reticulation technique.
Discovered by accident in 1978, in the reticulation process shavings or
filings of silver dust are applied to a silver surface – which is then
heated until the particles adhere to it, providing a grainy texture. At
the center of this Sterling Silver bracelet is a bezel set cabochon of
deep coral. The granulation provides a surface that greatly enhances the
color of the coral. I purchased this piece in Santa Fe approximately 20
years ago, but it is still a cutting edge look for a collector who
enjoys an artistic contemporary style. Condition: Excellent. Size:
Bracelet is 3/4” wide, 6 1/2” in circumference, including the 1
3/8” opening. Best suited to a smaller wrist.
|
$175.00
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