Up for your consideration is this classic, superior quality vintage Native American ~ Navajo ~ handcrafted silver and natural turquoise box-bow squash blossom necklace.
The necklace is double stranded with handmade silver beads, 24 hand made blossoms, and a very large 3-stone set naja. It is set with a total of 27 beautiful natural gem grade turquoise stones. The stones are a bright turquoise color, with minimal matrix and are well-matched in color. The oval stones measure about 3/8" long by 1/4" wide approximately. There is some slight crazing on some of the stones, but no cracks and all the stones are secure in their serrated bezels. Top quality piece in excellent vintage condition. circa 1940-50's.
* 33" long from hook-end to eye-end
* Naja: 2-3/4" x 2-5/8" in size
According to the attached pawn ticket, the necklace was pawned in 1952, apparently by Alice Burnside (which is the name on the back of the pawn ticket). The back of the Naja is stamped AMB - my guess is that the necklace was handmade by and pawned by Alice Burnside. Original pawn ticket is attached. The pawn ticket calls this a "Spirit Squash". The amount on the pawn ticket says $2,800 although it looks to me like the amount was originally $1,900 and then changed to $2,800. Silver is coin grade or higher.
That's all the information that I have on this gorgeous vintage squash blossom necklace, other than that I obtained this necklace from friends of my family who run a Western and Native American Art auction house in New Mexico. They have been in business for years and are very knowledgeable when it comes to Native American antiquities.
