An Early Comanche Elongated Neck Tie
Navajo or Comanche
Circa 1900 | Silver, Copper | Item 1993
I originally thought this to be a ring, but I’ve since been told that it is likely a Comanche neck tie. The ring size still fits, and it surely could be worn as a ring, but interesting to know of its original use. This early silver stamped ring is bent to form to the copper band it rests on. The design has a vertical and horizontal axis with embellishments at each end. The mix of copper and silver is interesting, and suggests that the ring could be Comanche made. Copper was one of the first metals worked with by the Navajo, before it moved over into primarily silver. It’s even possible that a Navajo made the silver portion and the Comanche finished it by adding the copper band. There was more cross over of Native cultures than we know.