Antique Vintage Sterling Silver Native Navajo Pawn Stamped Concho HUGE Earrings

  
We have similar Native and Navajo items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. Listing Description by: Dylan L. Markings : Marked "STERLING" on the back of the earrings, Tested, and Guaranteed. Country of Origin : United States - Navajo Nation. Gram Weight : 23.4 Grams. Item Measurements : The earrings measure 2.73" long by 1.13" wide. Earring Backing Style : Clip-On Backings.

Your jeweler can easily convert these to the preferred backing style you desire. For Pierced or Non-Pierced Ears : Both. The stampings would have been hand hammered with a die. The stampings on the outside of the concho are symbols that are meant to represent the rattlesnake's jaw, which is a symbol of strength in Native American art. The stampings adorning the domed concho feature the symbols for spring.

The outside of the concho is scalloped, which adds to the overall appearance of the piece. Each earring features two conchos, the larger of which dangles articulated from the smaller, adding a kinetic touch to the piece.

Some portions of these earrings are ever so slightly tarnished, which is to be expected of an item this age. The price of this item has been reduced to reflect this. This listing is for the item only. This beautiful piece was made by a very talented Native American silversmith.

It features handcrafted silversmith work throughout. Antique Native American jewelry is very rare to find. This is due to these pieces being made for reservation and personal use before the tourist trade became popular. Very few pieces were made and even less survived to today. The concept of Pawn, Old Pawn, and Dead Pawn Native American Jewelry came to be in the 1800s.

When a loan wasnt repaid, the item became known as either Old Pawn or Dead Pawn. The Navajo Nation sits on 27,000 square miles within the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.

The Navajo have a rich history and culture and have become known for creating some of the finest sterling silver and turquoise jewelry, incorporating their own traditional motifs with silversmithing. The squash blossom necklace is perhaps one the most famous Navajo styles produced, along with turquoise inlay rings. Turquoise is an important stone in Navajo culture; symbolizing happiness, good fortune, and good health. The first Navajo silversmith, Atsidi Sani, was taught around 1865 by a Mexican silversmith. Atsidi Sani in turn taught his four sons, who then started teaching other Navajo artisans.

In the beginning, Navajo artisans created sterling silver jewelry for themselves and others in the Navajo Nation. Navajo silversmiths, working from 1870 to 1900, learned about stamping from Mexican leather workers, and adopted this to their metal working. Artisans made their own stamps that were passed down to each generation. Stampings are usually hand hammered using handcrafted or die stamps and include traditional Native American symbols, such as sunbursts, to ornate landscapes.

This technique has been passed on and utilized by other Native American tribes and continues to be a popular method of jewelry making. The item "Antique Vintage Sterling Silver Native Navajo Pawn Stamped Concho HUGE Earrings" is in sale since Sunday, February 24, 2019. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Ethnic, Regional & Tribal\Native American\Earrings". The seller is "abeautifultimeco" and is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Metal: Sterling Silver
• Jewelry Type: Earrings
• Modified Item: No
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Tribal Affiliation: Navajo
• Metal Purity: .925
• Ethnic Origin: Navajo