Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 0370-1282   CAS 0370-1282; Bottle opener
Category Jewelry & Metalwork
Object Name Bottle opener
Culture Navajo
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Arizona
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Kenneth Begay (1913-1977) or Allen Kee (ca. 1918-1966) (attributed)
Date of Manufacture ca. 1950-1960
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Metal: Silver; Stainless steel
Description Bottle opener with commercial stainless steel circular opener attached to handmade, rectangular handle that expands in girth toward proximal end; Series of 3 parallel lines encircles handle near distal end and series of 4 lines encircles handle near proximal end; Opener is unsigned. Kay Begay Rogers (April 2015) stated that her father hallmarked every piece he made, unless he was specifically told not to do so. As this piece is not hallmarked, but could have been on its end, she thought it more likely that this was made by one of the bench smiths at the White Hogan Shop, rather than by her father.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 3.8, Thickness = 1.6, Length = 12.9