The Mother of all Bracelets ! Navajo Wampum !
Well, here we have one of the largest bracelets ever made. This came from a Pawn
Shop over in Winslow , Arizona about 30 years ago. It has been stored in a friends
safe all of this time, long forgotten until now. This bracelet is one that I would tend to
believe was made for the person to wear and not for sale as most jewelry the Navajo
have. It would be the Medicine Man's "wampum" , which is to say, where he would
display his wealth and power. Only the richest of the Navajo could even dream of
owning such a piece of incredible work like this.
It measures about 7" long overall by about 6" + wide. This piece is massive. There is
no other way to describe it. I also doubt if you could ever replace it as the Turquoise
main piece is over 5-1/4" long by about 4-1/2" wide and a good 1/2" thick to be
conservative. Now the single stone by the heal of this fantastic Bear Claw is about
1-1/4" x 5/8" and the 5 Turquoise stones making the "claws" are each about 1/2" in
size. Topping that off, there are two vintage pieces of Deep Red Meditrainiean Coral
that are each about 1-1/2" & 1-3/4" in length and about 3/8" wide.
Now the silver. It is also very heavy Sterling Silver and will update this later as to the
overall weight, but believe me, it is heavy. The Silver work is outstanding and you can
see the work involved with the pictures I have supplied. It is extensive to say the least.
It is also in excellent condition, as the stones, silver work, band etc. are all as they
were the day it was hammered out. Yes, It is all hand hammered and forged. This is
truly a work of Navajo magic .
Now, it is all in the fashion of the Bear Paw. It represents strength to the Navajo, and
this one would have meant to the owner , that he is the strongest and richest man in
the Navajo Tribe, and was meant to convey that to all that saw him wear it. The patina,
really helps you tell the age. This one would be from the late 40's and maybe into the
50's, but not any newer then that. You can't find or buy Turquoise this size and quality
for love or money any longer. The patina will not be tampered with or removed. I
would leave that up to the person that will become the new owner of this Navajo
History. It is hallmarked on the back S/D which would be the person who made it. I
have had a few pieces of jewelry from this maker a few years ago, but have never been
able to find out who it is. But I am working on that one now. Hopefully, I will soon find
out who "SD" is and will put it here.
Shop over in Winslow , Arizona about 30 years ago. It has been stored in a friends
safe all of this time, long forgotten until now. This bracelet is one that I would tend to
believe was made for the person to wear and not for sale as most jewelry the Navajo
have. It would be the Medicine Man's "wampum" , which is to say, where he would
display his wealth and power. Only the richest of the Navajo could even dream of
owning such a piece of incredible work like this.
It measures about 7" long overall by about 6" + wide. This piece is massive. There is
no other way to describe it. I also doubt if you could ever replace it as the Turquoise
main piece is over 5-1/4" long by about 4-1/2" wide and a good 1/2" thick to be
conservative. Now the single stone by the heal of this fantastic Bear Claw is about
1-1/4" x 5/8" and the 5 Turquoise stones making the "claws" are each about 1/2" in
size. Topping that off, there are two vintage pieces of Deep Red Meditrainiean Coral
that are each about 1-1/2" & 1-3/4" in length and about 3/8" wide.
Now the silver. It is also very heavy Sterling Silver and will update this later as to the
overall weight, but believe me, it is heavy. The Silver work is outstanding and you can
see the work involved with the pictures I have supplied. It is extensive to say the least.
It is also in excellent condition, as the stones, silver work, band etc. are all as they
were the day it was hammered out. Yes, It is all hand hammered and forged. This is
truly a work of Navajo magic .
Now, it is all in the fashion of the Bear Paw. It represents strength to the Navajo, and
this one would have meant to the owner , that he is the strongest and richest man in
the Navajo Tribe, and was meant to convey that to all that saw him wear it. The patina,
really helps you tell the age. This one would be from the late 40's and maybe into the
50's, but not any newer then that. You can't find or buy Turquoise this size and quality
for love or money any longer. The patina will not be tampered with or removed. I
would leave that up to the person that will become the new owner of this Navajo
History. It is hallmarked on the back S/D which would be the person who made it. I
have had a few pieces of jewelry from this maker a few years ago, but have never been
able to find out who it is. But I am working on that one now. Hopefully, I will soon find
out who "SD" is and will put it here.
| Price: $25,000.00 or best offer. To make your best offer on this piece, just click the link below or paste my email address into your browser and make me your offer. ! |
| My email address is: rockpolisherc@yahoo.com |
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Navajo Hand Made Sterling Silver and Turquoise HAT BAND !
| This is a Hat Band made of Sterling Silver and Turquoise , made by the now deceased Jimmy Lewis, Navajo Jewelry Maker Extreme. Jimmy made this for me about 2 years ago, and alas, there will never be another one by him. This beautiful band is made like a Concho Belt other then its size, and has never been worn. It has been stored in my safe for all this time, which I had almost forgotten it was there, but it is time to let it go to someone who will proudly wear it on his/her hat. It is about 27-1/2" long, and features 13 oval conchos each about 1-1/2" long by about 1" tall and finished off by a signed buckle which is about 1/8" longer then the other conchos. This would have to be considered an only child with no brothers or sisters coming along ever. You may be able to find the stamped nickel silver versions made by other Indians, but this is the real mc coy and all alone in the world. mh-024 Price: $450.00 |
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