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Vintage Native American Faux Turquoise Copper Bell Trading Post Necklace Pendant

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Vintage Native American Faux Turquoise Copper Bell Trading Post Necklace Pendant

$55.00

Vintage Southwestern copper turquoise necklace. Faux Turquoise and real copper. Made by the ever popular Bell Trading Post. Copper chain necklace is 29 inches long. Marked with the Bell Company logo. circa 1950's-60's. Item#7705

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Here's a classic vintage southwestern copper and turquoise necklace, made by the famous Bell Trading Post of ABQ, New Mexico for the tourist trade, from the 1950's-1960's. The main pendant measures 2-1/2 inch by 2 inches and weighs about 17 grams. The pendant has a faux turquoise center. I repeat, faux (imitation) turquoise. Including the 29 inch copper chain, the entire necklace weighs about 38 grams. Hallmarked SOLID COPPER surrounding the image of a bell. These necklaces were VERY popular with the tourists back in the day!

The Bell Trading Post was founded in 1935 by Jack Michelson in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was named "Bell" because Jack's wife Mildred's maiden name was Bell. Coincidentally my maiden name is also Bell, hence my interest in Bell jewelry. The name was changed to Sunbell Corp. in 1972. It produced quality tourist/Fred Harvey era pieces made by Native Americans. From Billie Hougart's hallmark book: "Early production focused on handmade jewelry, but post--WWII production shifted to quality tourist items presented as Southwestern in their advertisements". The majority of jewelry made was made from sterling silver, turquoise and copper. The Bell Trading Post went out of business in the late 1980's. The hallmarks are an image of a bell and a bell hanging from a post. The hallmark on this pendant is the bell with the words SOLID COPPER encircling the bell.