Antique Vintage Native Navajo Sterling Coin Silver Hand Stamped 1.9 Brooch Pin

  

Age Circa: Antique Native Navajo. 925 This is actually coin silver, not. Country of Origin: United States, Navajo Nation.

Gram Weight: 6.5 Grams. Item Measurements: The brooch measures 0.8" in length by 1.9" in width. Pin/Brooch Style: Brooch, Tie Pin, Scarf Pin, Lapel Pin. Closure Type: Locking "C" clasp. Convertible to Pin/Brooch: If desired, your local jeweler can add a bale to this piece so it can be worn as a pendant. Notable Features: This stunning coin silver brooch was handmade by James Reid, a talented Navajo silversmith in the American Southwest and features a beautiful hand-stamped sun ray motif. The symmetrical sun ray design was stamped onto an old coin, which was rolled out and flattened. The design has riveting along the edge with a sun symbol in the center and rays shooting out toward half suns on the end, giving this piece a lovely whimsical quality. Half suns with raised circles adorn the top and bottom of the brooch. A light patina on the sterling silver gives this piece an antique quality, which we believe is quite lovely.

The brooch is finished with a sturdy locking "c" clasp and can be worn many ways, making this piece very versatile. This brooch would be a wonderful gift for someone who appreciates the Southwestern style. Don't miss your opportunity to own this beautiful piece. 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 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. 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 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.

Southwest jewelry from the American Southwest is unique to itself and has a look that has become popular worldwide. Southwest jewelry was originally created by Native American and Mexican artistic influence and has gained popularity throughout the years, becoming a staple of many contemporary designs. 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. Navajo jewelry started becoming commercially available around the 1910s and is still very popular today.

Stampings are usually hand-hammered using handcrafted or die stamps and include traditional Native American symbols, such as sunbursts, to ornate landscapes. Pre 1950s Navajo silversmiths would make jewelry out of US 90% Silver coins. They would use Half Dollars, Quarters, & Mercury Dimes. This type of jewelry is very rare, as it usually contained a high silver purity and was expensive to make. Whole Coin jewelry was worn around the reservation as a status symbol of wealth. We do not undervalue packages for international customers as it is illegal.

The item "Antique Vintage Native Navajo Sterling Coin Silver Hand Stamped 1.9 Brooch Pin" is in sale since Saturday, May 19, 2018. 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.

• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Signed?: Signed
• Artisan: James Reid, Ltd.
• Metal: Coin Silver
• Tribal Affiliation: Navajo