Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0370-1502   CAS 0370-1502; Necklace
Category Jewelry & Metalwork
Object Name Necklace
Culture Navajo
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. New Mexico
County McKinley
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Frank Peralta and Henry Marton (beads); Kly Begay or Willie Jim (overall assembly?)
Date of Manufacture 1938
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Metal: Silver; Turquoise; Wire
Description Squash blossom necklace composed of 3 strands of small silver beads; Lower section of necklace has beads alternating with 10 stamped silver spacer bars with oval pendant turquoise settings; Midsection of necklace shows beads alternating with 24 small silver squash blossoms; The 3 strands of beads form a single strand of slightly larger beads on upper portion of necklace; All beads are constructed in two pieces and welded together; Sand cast naja pendant shows deep, serrated edges along interior and is set with oval turquoise stone in center and small round turquoise stones at each end; Navajo horned moon (hallmark of Bert I. Staples' Crafts del Navajo Shop, Coolidge, NM) is stamped on reverse of naja. [Original catalog card quotes Elkus notes, “Harry Maton was son-in-law of Kly Begay. Made through Bert Stapes. Acquired June 1938. Have had the stones hand polished and gave work out to Willy Jim, a member of the Kly Begay family.”]
Dimensions (cm) Width = 4.9, Thickness = 0.8, Length = 44.8