NATIVE AMERICAN NAVAJO STERLING SILVER BEAD NECKLACE BY MARGARET LEE

Description

Each bead is hand drawn, punched for holes, stamped, soldered, polished and hand strung.  Navajo artist Margaret Lee created this fabulous arrangement of handmade stamped beads.   The round beads are 5 mm and the barrel beads are 6 mm x 8 mm and 6 mm x 6 mm.  The necklace is finished off with a hook and eye and cones.  This gorgeous necklace set will elevate your jewelry collection and is so versatile, it will look great with any outfit.  Weighs 42 grams.  Signed.

20  1/2” long- Necklace

Artist card included

The Navajos began working with silver in the 19th century, and began making things like buckles, bridles, buttons, rings, canteens, hollow beads, earrings, crescent-shaped pendants (called “najas”), bracelets, crosses, powder chargers, tobacco canteens, and conchos (for belts).  Their silversmithing skills has evolved and changed throughout the years, and in about 1880 Navajo silversmiths started to set turquoise in their silver work.  Traditionally, Navajo artists worked with jewelry techniques like repousee and stamp work, but today they explored in other Native American jewelry making techniques like Zuni inlay work and Hopi overlay work.

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