We have similar Native and Navajo items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. Listing Description by: Ksenia D. Age Circa: Antique Native Navajo C. Markings: Marked “STERLING” on the back of the pin, Tested, and Guaranteed. Country of Origin: United States – Navajo Nation. Gram Weight: 6.4 Grams. 925 Sterling Silver with Rhodium Finish. Main Stone Measurements/Color. Accent Stone Measurements/Color. Item Measurements: The brooch measures 0.70″ long from top to bottom by up to 2″ wide. Pin/Brooch Style: Bar Pin, Lapel Pin, Hat Pin, Scarf Pin. Closure Type: Pin Stem with Locking “C” Clasp. Convertible to Necklace Pendant: If desired, your local jeweler can add a bale to this piece so it can be worn as a pendant. This lovely bar pin was handcrafted by Navajo artisans around the 1940’s. The piece has 3 large silver dome accents. The center dome then has a rope twist border and a border of smaller dome accents. This piece is hand stamped with designs including sunrays and double zig-zag patterns. The pin stem and locking “C” clasp are secure. Damage: Age appropriate wear. The rhodium finish is wearing away in some areas allow the sterling silver to show, which we believe adds a wonderful antique quality and texture to this piece. However, 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 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 of 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. 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. 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 Bar Hand Stamped Pin Brooch” is in sale since Saturday, August 31, 2019. This item is in the category “Jewelry & Watches\Ethnic, Regional & Tribal\Native American\Pins, Brooches”. The seller is “abeautifultimeco” and is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Ethnic Origin: Southwestern
- Country of Origin: United States – Navajo Nation
- Modified Item: No
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
- Metal #2: Rhodium Finish
- Metal Purity: .925
- Main Stone: No Stone
- Metal: Sterling Silver
- Jewelry Type: Pins
- Tribal Affiliation: Navajo