Time Dances By - Native American Jewelry

Item:	Description:	Price:
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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