Vintage Native American sterling silver overlay Man in the Maze necklace. Seven medallions linked together with sterling silver links and finished off with a link chain. The overlay work is clean and precise. This may be a machine pressed piece rather than a handmade piece. Made by an unknown Navajo silversmith.
The necklace is made up of graduated pendants, the smallest are 3/4 inch in diameter and the largest center one is largest 1-3/4 inch in diameter. The necklace is 24 inches long end-to-end and has a total weight of 60 grams.
Perfect condition! Certificate of Authenticity and gift box included. As is the case more often that not with the earlier Native American jewelry, this piece is not marked for silver content or maker. The age of the necklace is estimated at 30 years old or more.
SILVER OVERLAY TECHNIQUE. This technique uses multiple layers of sterling silver soldered together to create a three dimensional effect. The top layer is a cut overlay created from a sheet of sterling silver that is then bonded to the base layer of sterling. The base layer background is usually oxidized, which turns the silver surface black, and is often scratched or stamped. The oxidation brings out a contrast between the two pieces and makes the individual designs more visible.