Diné Silver and Coral Squash Blossom Necklace [SOLD]

This exquisite squash blossom silver necklace showcases beautiful red coral of the finest quality. The handmade silver beads consist of a single strand in the area around the neck and double strands to support the blossoms and naja. The twelve silver blossoms are long and elegant as they protrude from the platform supporting the long and graceful coral cabs. The naja displays eight dark red coral cabs of varying sizes and shapes.

Early Navajo-made jewelry contained elements that were borrowed directly from Spanish colonial and Mexican ornament. One of these items is the naja, a crescent form of Moorish origin. The Spanish conquerors in the Southwest outfitted their horses in elaborate silver ornaments—one of which was the naja that hung directly on the forehead of the horse as a part of the bridle. It has been determined that the squash blossoms of such a necklace were actually pomegranate blossoms seen on the Spanish Mexican clothing, but the term squash blossom has and will continue to be used.

This squash blossom necklace is unique in its origin. It was in the personal collection of Cyma Maisel of Albuquerque. According to her son, this necklace belonged to his mother. It was not left-over inventory from the Maisel store. There is no doubt that it was probably made to order for her by one of the employed Navajo artisans. The silverwork in this necklace is of the finest quality produced. There was no skimping by the maker in the use of silver. The coral is the most beautiful deep red color of the finest quality. The Maisel Company produced only the finest jewelry.

A little history of the Maisel Company is important to shed light on the manufacture of Indian made jewelry. During the early- to mid-twentieth century, the Maisel Company, located on Central Avenue in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico, dominated the Native American craft industry. Maurice Maisel, and his wife Cyma, had opened the store in 1939 where they employed Native silversmiths and lapidary artists who worked on-site. A large circular hole in the floor of the shop allowed visitors to look down and see the artisans at work. The Maisels employed Navajo and Pueblo artisans on a full-time basis. The Maisel family sold the store around 1962 and retired to a simpler life.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Diné Silver and Coral Squash Blossom Necklace is from the son of Cyma Maisel of Albuquerque who stated that it was from the personal collection of his mother.

Recommended Reading: "Maisel's Indian Trading Post" in Reassessing Hallmarks of Native Southwest Jewelry by Pat Messier & Kim Messier.

TAGS: Southwest Indian Jewelry, Navajo, necklace