Native American, Southwestern United States, Navajo, ca. mid-20th century CE. A stunning and wearable necklace comprised of American currency, brass beads, and turquoise stones. The necklace features beads made of Buffalo nickels and Mercury dimes, that are bent to form convex shapes, then soldered together to create a domed bead; a unique interpretation of the Native American style of squash blossom beads. Each of the 4 nickel beads displays the buffalo motif on one side and the Native American head on the other, and the dimes feature Liberty with a winged cap and a fasces axe. These were minted between 1935 and 1945. Along the strand dispersed between the coins are brass beads and ten turquoise stones. At the center are two brass clam bells that emit quiet tinkling. The terminal ends have a hook clasp. Size necklace length: 16.5" L (41.9 cm); size of nickel: 0.83" Diameter (2.1 cm)
Provenance: private Lake City, Colorado, USA collection
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#163841
Condition
Minor wear to stone beads. Nice toning on coins. Wearable with hook clasp.