NATIVE AMERICAN NAVAJO STERLING SILVER & TURQUOISE PENDANT BY LEE BEGAY

Description: NATIVE AMERICAN NAVAJO STERLING SILVER & TURQUOISE PENDANT BY LEE BEGAY In the mid 1800s, Navajo silversmiths started to use sand casting as one of their silversmithing techniques. Today, silversmiths still use this technique by carving a design in tufa stone (a porous limestone) and then placing another stone against it. The two pieces are fastened together and molten silver is poured in. Once it has cooled, the artist takes the piece out and finishes it. Lee Begay made this beautiful sterling silver Yei pendant in this manner. It has an open shepherd's hook, allowing you to wear it as a pendant over your favorite chains or silver bead necklaces. Weighs 46 grams. (Chain not included) Signed 1 7/16” wide x 3 1/4" 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. Native American Jewelry

Price: 540 USD

Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico

End Time: 2025-01-26T23:39:03.000Z

Shipping Cost: 15 USD