Santo Domingo Pueblo Found Materials Vintage Necklace [SOLD]

It is difficult to determine the exact age of the "depression" necklaces that were made at Santo Domingo Pueblo in the early twentieth century. They were generally made from around 1920 to 1940. The beads generally were made from sun dried bone materials, the black backing material has been stated to be automobile battery casing material, the white and red materials were from any commercial products such as toothbrush handles or radio casings. The turquoise was genuine and likely from the Cerrillos Mine.

This necklace has a magnificent eagle pendant incorporating all the found materials mentioned above. Each tab on the necklace has white plastic and turquoise mounted on battery casings with the tips of the tabs exposing the casing material. An added treat on this necklace is the inclusion of six turquoise tabs that were drilled off-center and inserted between the bone beads. The necklace appears to be strung on a sinew style string, knotted off at the end. Overall, the necklace is extraordinary.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Santo Domingo Pueblo Found Materials Vintage Necklace is from a gentleman in Santa Fe

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.

TAGS: Southwest Indian Jewelry, KEWA, Santo Domingo Pueblo