20th C. Navajo Buffalo Nickels & Turquoise Necklace

Native American, Southwestern United States, Navajo, ca. mid-20th century CE. A lovely and wearable necklace comprised of American currency, silver and brass beads, and turquoise stones. The necklace features beads made of Buffalo nickels that are bent to form convex shapes, then soldered together to create a domed bead; a unique interpretation of the Native American style of squash blossom beads. Three of the nickel beads are welded to display just the Native American head, and one features just the buffalo face, the years have been rubbed off all but one, minted in 1936. The center of the strand has a hollow cylindrical 92.5% silver barrel pendant, etched with linear sun and crescent shapes. The rest of the necklace is strung with spherical 88% silver beads, turquoise nuggets, and conical 92.5% silver terminals with a hook clasp to make this a wearable piece. Size of necklace strand: 22" L (55.9 cm); silver pendant bead: 1" L x 0.5" W (2.5 cm x 1.3 cm); silver quality: 88% to 92.5%

Provenance: private Lake City, Colorado, USA collection

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#163830
Condition Report: Softening to nickel faces and green patina on one. Nice toning and cleanable patina on silver areas. Wearable and in good condition.