Diné Silver and Beautiful Blue Turquoise Box Bow Necklace [SOLD]

This is a truly phenomenal Navajo necklace, composed of handmade silver beads strung in single and double rows. The workmanship on the beads and the stamping on the bows is far exceptional to most necklaces of this style.

Box bow necklaces derive their name from the bow tie-like silver pieces on which are mounted the turquoise cabochons. These necklaces are much rarer than traditional squash blossom necklaces and much more dainty and less bulky. They are lightweight and easier and more comfortable to wear.  The overall concept is that of a squash blossom necklace with variations.

“It is believed that this style necklace came into existence after 1880, because neither Matthews nor Bourke spoke of them.  The Laboratory of Anthropology scientists agree.” Bedinger, 1973:82  ( Lt. J. G. Bourke visited in 1881 and Washington Matthews in 1880)

The lower section of the necklace that supports the blossoms has double rows of silver beads and the remainder of the necklace has a single row of beads. Securing the double rows of beads are the silver blossom elements with the bow tie namesake that have the blossom peering out from under the silver platform that supports the turquoise cabochons.  Each silver platform has a rectangular center supporting the turquoise and stamped ends of triangular shape. The naja was formed from a pair of silver bars secured with silver tips on which is a beautiful clear blue turquoise gemstone. The back of the naja is stamped sterling and initials W.O.W. are scratched into the silver, presumably the initials of a previous owner.

What is a Naja? 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.

Condition: this Diné Silver and Beautiful Blue Turquoise Box Bow Necklace is in very good condition

Provenance: from a gentleman collector of Native jewelry

Reference: Bedinger, Margery. Indian Silver: Navajo and Pueblo Jewelers

Relative Links: Necklace, Navajo, Southwest Indian Jewelry