NATIVE AMERICAN NAVAJO STERLING SILVER & TURQUOISE KEY RING BY BERTHA BEGAY

Description

Navajo silversmith Bertha Begay made this stellar key ring.  Sterling silver and Turquoise.  Has a nickle clasp for stronger grip and durability.  Weighs 10 grams.

1  7/16” wide x 2  5/16” long

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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