Depression-era Kewa Pueblo Thunderbird Necklace [SOLD]

Thunderbird necklaces, or Depression-era necklaces as they are called, are creations made solely for sale to tourists and others.  There was never any attempt to wear them by the makers.  They apparently got their start during the depression of the 1920s-1930s when times were tough for everyone and particularly for the pueblo population.  They continued to be made into the 1950s because they were very popular folk art pieces.

Materials used were those that could be found without purchasing anything.  The black backing for the pendants has been stated to be from automobile battery casings.  The red was from any source of plastic, as was the white.  Turquoise is real and the tubular beads are bone.

It is difficult to place a date on these as there was very little change over the decades.  It is safe to say that most of them date between 1930 and 1950s.  This is a particularly nice one. The thunderbird is large and visual and the turquoise inlay on the pendants breaks the continuous view of red.

Condition:  It is in very good condition.

Provenance: from an Oklahoma resident

Recommended Reading: Santo Domingo Pueblo Jewelry by Sally and J. Roderick Moore in The Magazine Antiques, Brant Publications, Inc. July 2009, vol. CLXXVI, no. 1. pp. 56-61.