Zuni Silver and Turquoise Bracelets from Asa Glascock Trading Post, Gallup, NM 

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American Indian and Western Art: Live Salesro...

By Cowan's Auctions

Apr 10, 2015 - Apr 11, 2015

Set Reminder 2015-04-10 10:00:00 2015-04-11 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American Indian and Western Art: Live Salesroom Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-indian-and-western-art-live-salesroom-auction-521
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• Lot Description
  lot of 2.  Includes one with an oval turquoise in the center surrounded by numerous round turquoises and with Louise Begay etched on reverse of one cuff. Even though Begay is a common name among the Navajo, Wright does not list a Louise Begay in his 1989 book; inside length 5.5 in. x width .8 in. x opening .75 in.; AND the last with a small oval turquoise in the center and with similar cluster image, inside length 6 in. x width .75 in. x opening .8 in.
  mid-20th century
  
  Asa Glascock Trading Post
  
  Asa Glascock (1898-1965), a native of Ralls County, Missouri, owned and operated a successful trading post located on North Third Street in Gallup, New Mexico from 1922 to 1957.  He and his wife also managed a post in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, for several years during the mid-1950s.  
  
  Prior to becoming a trader, Glascock volunteered for the sheriff, serving as a member of the Gallup town posse when necessary and worked for the trans-continental railway.  During his time with the rail, which ran through the middle of town, Glascock severely injured his right hand.  This prompted his career change and became a trader who spoke fluent Navajo.
  
  Asa’s wife, Margaret Smith Glascock (1924-2002), assisted him with the day-to-day activities typical of any thriving store—ordering supplies, showing merchandise, taking jewelry for pawn, operating the cash register, and keeping financial records.   
  
  The post sold Navajo blankets, Pendleton blankets, pawn jewelry, glass beads, groceries, and household goods similar to those found in today’s small hardware stores.  One original item however, surpassed all others: the beaded leather belts.  The Glascocks sold the profitable belts to the National Park Service, as well as to dealers across the country.   
  
  The post had a long counter off to the side, where Czechoslovakian glass beads were sold.  The Zuni purchased the colorful beads by the “whiskey shot glass” and hurried home to loom-bead vibrant strips in the requisite length.  When finished, the beaders returned the strips to the post where Margaret, using her Singer, stitched the strips to commercially made leather belts.  Her sons often helped her with the final phase of lacing white plastic around the edges.  The belt orders dwindled when the Japanese began imitating the belts. 
  
  Glascock sold his post in 1957 and the family returned to a farm in Missouri where they, like the Navajo, kept a herd of sheep.  (David Williamson to Meyn, February 16, 2015, and Mary Tate Engels, ed., Tales from Wide Ruins, 1996: 192.) 
  
  Provenance: Descended in the family; From Asa Glascock (1898-1965) Trading Post, Gallup, New Mexico

  Condition

  Four stones have changed color and and are cracked, otherwise both with expected wear.
  
  Condition requests can be obtained via email (danica@cowans.com) or by telephone (513-871-1670). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Cowan's Auctions shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
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• Buyer's Premium

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