Diné Shell Hieshe and Turquoise Single Strand Necklace [SOLD]

Both Pueblo and Diné tribal members made and wore turquoise necklaces of this style.  It is difficult to determine the differences sufficiently to define which tribe to credit for a particular one.  Generally, on more recent ones, Diné artisans put silver cones and hooks on the ones they make for sale. On older ones, both Diné and Pueblo jewelers tied the end strings together and wrapped them in what is referred to as a Pueblo wrap.  

This single strand necklace has the end strings tied together in the Diné fashion, but someone has since wrapped the ends with nylon thread which is not the work of a Native artist.  Because of this, we are attributing this necklace to a Diné artisan and overlooking the Pueblo wrap.

The turquoise slabs are all natural turquoise and the hieshe was made from shell.  The necklace predates the late 1970s.

Condition: this Diné Shell Hieshe and Turquoise Single Strand Necklace is in very good condition and ready to wear             

Provenance: from the estate of Frances Balcomb passed on to a daughter from whom we obtained it.  Mrs. Balcomb closed her Gallup Indian Art Gallery in the 1960s and her Albuquerque one in the 1970s, and this was probably inventory which she put away.

Recommended Reading: Southwestern Indian Jewelry by Ruth Falkenburg Kirk

Note: when we say Diné, as opposed to Navaho or Navajo, we are referring to the people and not the government.  Since 1969, their government refers to itself as the Navajo Nation. 

Relative Links: Diné, necklaces, Southwest Indian Jewelry