Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0370-1811   CAS 0370-1811; Necklace
Category Jewelry & Metalwork
Object Name Necklace
Culture Navajo
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Arizona, New Mexico
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1880-1890; modified ca. 1920
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Metal: Silver; Turquoise; Leather
Description Single strand squash blossom necklace of 49 handmade spherical beads made by hammering silver disk into mold with corrugated interior surface, producing look of stamped radiating lines in assembled beads (16 beads at top of necklace are slightly smaller and were made as later replacements), 12 squash blossoms with stamped design on exterior of each petal, and double-barred naja pendant, cast in two pieces and assembled; Naja is set with oval turquoise stone in notched bezel at top and two round turquoise stones in notched bezels at ends; Bars of naja are stamped with feathered arrows; Beads are strung on leather; Necklace is unsigned.
Dimensions (cm) Length = 41.5