Native American Vintage 60's Natural Mediterranean Coral Sterling Silver Squash Blossom Necklace.

Made the right way, the traditional way with care and patience. Built to last. Pretty sure it was made in the 60's or early 70's. A very impressive piece. It was made with natural Mediterranean coral with the classic rusty red color. This old pawn squash blossom was hand made the old way by a Navajo artisan in the Heart of the Indian Nation, including the many bench beads. Each bench bead is created from scratch by knocking out a circle of Sterling Silver, doming it, drilling a hole through it and soldering it to a second half. This stunning Squash Blossom is 24" long and has a 3-1/4" by 3-1/4" naja. As a general rule, we leave all vintage and antique jewelry in their current condition. Each piece develops its own character over time adding to the uniqueness and value of the item.

The pomegranate was a common Spanish decorator motif, often seen carved or painted on missions in Mexico and often a clothing decoration. If one examined an early Navajo "squash blossom" bead, a striking similarity would be seen to exist between the Mexican ornament and the pomegranate Still, in spite of the similarities, there is quite a bit of doubt that the Navajo attempted to depict this blossom in his bead. The Navajo word for the "squash blossom" bead is "yo ne maze disya gi" which means simply "bead that spreads out." Nothing in the word denoted squash or pomegranate blossom. Perhaps the word was coined by a white man who, asking a Navajo what the bead represented, (the white man is obsessed with what something means, he is rarely satisfied that something is simply attractive) was told that it looked like a squash blossom (the Navajo understands the white man's obsession and often attempts to satisfy it as painlessly as possible.) It is doubtful that the Navajo intended that the bead represent the squash blossom.

Because the Indian ceremonials largely dealt with the agricultural cycle, and the first jewelry was worn during these occasions, coupled with the fact that the beads along with the chain looked like pomegranates or squash blossoms, all have tended to portray the necklace in a crop-fertility ceremonial light.

We understand the true value and nature of hand crafted Indian art. And, we recognize it's important to know that the artist is truly a member of a Native American tribe. So, to ensure you that this is the real deal, a Certificate of Authenticity has been included with this item.

CERTIFIED AUTHENTIC