Tommy Singer Navajo Sterling Silver Turquoise Yei Yeibichai Stick Lapel Pin

  

TOMMY SINGER STERLING SILVER TURQUOISE CORAL YEI. 3" tall and 7/16" wide. "T" - early Tommy Singer hallmark.

Tommy Singers' hallmark noted on page 314 in the Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks book by Billie Hougart-2014 edition pictured. Check out the third picture with the ST hallmark, the T are perfectly match to the T in the book and i have a Tommy Singer coral ring with the same. Listed now in my shoppe.. PLEASE NOTE: The photographs give the illusion the jewelry looks larger than it is; this is to show you the detail you could not see without a magnifying glass. Please look at ALL photographs posted.

There is always one or two photos with ruler measurements in every listing created to give you an accurate. Also, the photographs posted are shot from the actual item no stock photos. The colors may vary just slightly due to the light vs. Shadow effect of the flash. The items weighed on the scale are in grams.

Tommy Singer used many traditional deities and designs of the Navajo people in his jewelry. In this pin he depicts a male Yei. Females have square heads and males have rounded pointy heads. Wearing a green turquoise mask which. With one coral Eagle feather.

The Yei wears a traditional dress with a sash followed by a coral kilt skirt and turquoise leggings as he participates in a Yeibichai ceremony with a rattle in the left hand as the rain flows from his elbows. The Yei symbol is a frequently used pattern in Navajo creations. In Navajo mythology, the Yei spirits mediated between the Great Spirit and humans the name Yei derives from Yeibicheii, meaning the Holy People.

Yeibichai themed designs depict the ceremony in which dancers attempt to call the spirits. Yei spirits were believed to control natural elements such as the rain, snow, wind, and sun and to have healing powers.

Females have square heads and males have rounded pointy heads. NFORMATION ACQUIRED ON WORDPRESS BY: Charley's Navajo Rugs, Hanford, California 93232. As individual and artistic as their creators, jewelry may have elements of clouds, arrows, eagle feathers, and stars as well as other divinities and ceremonies.

Because of the sacredness of the ceremony, some elements must always be deleted, thus preserving the power of the ceremony. This amazing pin is not marked.

925 or sterling but has been tested positive with no marks or cosmetic damage to the pieces. It is common for the sterling mark to be missing in early Native American vintage pieces.

Was born in 1940 and sadly left this earth on May 31, 2014. He lived in Winslow, Arizona where he resided with his wife Rose and their children and grandchildren. He grew up in a small community of Dilcon on the Navajo Reservation while learning the silversmith trade from his father Tsinnigine Hathali, a Navajo Medicine Man when he was just 7 years old.

In the 1960's, Mr. Singer became famous for inventing the use of turquoise and coral chips in silverwork devised from the lingering chips of turquoise and coral left on his workshop floor. While using the "chip inlay" technique combined with his amazing craftsmanship mixed with the abstract modern Native American style of design Mr. Singer conveyed on his jewelry, he became a household name in the states and abroad. Chip inlay is a method where cavities in jewelry are filled with a mixture of crushed stone, typically turquoise and coral, and epoxy resin. The piece is then polished smoothly after the resin has hardened. Singer's chip inlay technique was heavily copied in the southwest and even in imports from Asia. In fact, this style of jewelry became so popular in the 1960's and 1970's that you would see it everywhere. Frustrated, he stopped creating chip inlaid jewelry and started focusing on the silver overlay method which he originally studied in the beginning of his silversmith career. His silver overlay jewelry exhibited traditional Navajo designs; some incorporating gold in the overlay. He was also known for carving storyteller scenes with tremendous detail and skill. Tommy Singer was a famous prolific successful artist and those who knew him said he was a friendly and generous man. Today his work commands very high prices which continues to gain in value.

Collectors of his work hold onto his pieces with great respect and love. It is hard to find these classic vintage chip inlay pieces which have survived with Mr. If only you knew how many of Mr. The hallmark could have worn away over the years of normal wear and tear.

That's what metals do-they wear down, erode, rub out, get thin and the hallmark will eventually disappear. This is your chance to own an original and rare Native American masterpiece from a truly talented and gifted man! THANKS FOR LOOKING AND HAVE A GREAT DAY!!! Not very exciting to read, but just in case you need to know. If you need more time, please contact me.

Information as to the origin or authenticity of items is searched. The most accurate description is in the pictures, so please review them carefully. Unless otherwise noted, everything I sell is vintage, antique, used, secondhand, and will have fair wear. All items are packaged carefully to the extent required for each item.

Please contact me immediately if there is a problem receiving proper instructions for return. Each jewelry box comes equipped with a 3M Anti-Tarnish Paper Tab measuring 1x1and is good for up to 30 cubic inches of air space.

The strips will protect silver, nickel, copper, bronze, brass, gold, and pewter for up to 6 months depending on the frequency and amount of exposure to air. One tab can last up to one year in a sealed airtight environment. Safe to use, these paper tabs are non-toxic and do not emit any chemical residues.