Squash blossom necklaces are some of the most well known designs of Native American jewellery.

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Squash blossom necklaces are some of the most well known designs of Native American jewellery. These silver and turquoise designs are emblematic of the native culture in the southwest. Turquoise is an important precious stone to nations of the southwest. The Navajo use it as a central element in their prayer offerings for rain. It is also an expression of friendship and kindness.

This necklace has a string of silver squash blossoms with turquoise centres. In the centre is a naja. The crescent moon shape was originally seen by Native Americans as ornaments on Spanish conquistadors’ horse bridles. These were traded or captured and worn, probably from a leather strap, by the natives. It was later integrated into other designs as silverwork became a popular craft among the nations of the southwest.

'…the pawn ticket indicates that perhaps the original owner was either the artisan or a family member of the artisan who sold the piece to the Fred Harvey Gift Shop.' Leah Sneider, PhD in Native American Literature

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Materials

» silver (metal)
» turquoise (mineral)
» beads (pierced objects)

Production place

» New Mexico

Collection

» Native American Collection

Dimensions

34inch

Object number

1974.4

See more on the web:

» Europeana
» Google images

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