A Quintessential, Early Navajo Squash Blossom Necklace

Item: 1667

Origins: Navajo
Date:  First quarter 20th Century

Media: Silver

Dimensions: 29″ long, 447 greams, or 15.7 oz.

Description: This is a great and quintessential squash blossom necklace. A total of 12, robust blossoms are on the necklace, together with 54 large beads.  The blossoms have four petals and are scribed with two circles (file marks likely) on the elongated base of each flower.    It’s interesting to note that one of the beads is made out of brass.  This bead can be easily spotted on the necklace.

The handsome naja is a single, heavy crescent ending in  terminals with an imprint of a small conical concha.  The najo has been made by the casting technique.  The top, center inside of the naja has a rectangular set piece of turquoise in a deep, marine blue.  There is a small oblong connector for the naja to the necklace that also has a small, silver bead as a part of it.  This connector matches the material used at the top hardware to joint the two ends. The back of the naja is scribed withthe name “P. Benavides”.This is an impressive necklace.

Condition:  Condition is original without restoration.

Provenance: A private Denver, CO collection.

Price: 5250