Sterling Silver and Coral Shadowbox Necklace [SOLD]

This silver and coral necklace is a significant piece for many reasons. The quality of the coral, the excellent craftsmanship, and the collection from which it came each alone would be a reason to make this a treasured item. The bright red coral cabs used in this necklace are considered to be quite rare as harvesting of coral has become limited. This necklace features nine beautiful coral cabs, each set meticulously in a hand-tooled silver shadowbox.  The shadowboxes are spaced apart by hand made beads, both round and tubular. The excellent craftsmanship of artist Henry Clark Smith is evident.

It is not surprising then, that this necklace was once part of the collection of Margarete Chase, co-owner of Enchanted Mesa Indian Arts in Albuquerque. Mrs. Chase was known for her discriminating style and good eye.

The piece is unsigned, but the owner has said it came from a silversmith named Henry Clark Smith and was made in the 1950s.  

Condition: original condition

Recommended Reading: Jewelry by Southwest American Indians: Evolving Designs by Nancy N. Schiffer

Provenance: from the collection of a client from Oklahoma