Santo Domingo Indian Birds Fetish Necklace. Oscar T. Branson in Fetishes and Carvings of the Southwest,1976, wrote that Santo Domingo carvers, for religious reasons, carve only birds and do not sign their work. These peublo Indians also do not believe in carving realistic images.
This 1980s necklace measures approximately 21" long. There are 24 fetish birds which measure about 7/8" across. They are alternating jasper, hematite, black onyx and riverstone. They are nicely polished and smooth. The birds are interspaced by clear glass seed beads and tiny copper doughnut spacers.
DH174-07 - $88
Antique Scottish Sterling Kilt Pin. This antique Scots Celtic kilt pin measures 2 1/4" long and it is has a nice weight. The motif is a shield and sword with both having a raised, braided Celtic knotwork design. The reverse shows the antique c-clasp and is simply marked "STERLING SILVER." We are showing the brooch being used to hold a kilt closed. Excellent condition. DH183-07 - $80
Exceptional Vintage Cloisonne Bangle. This vintage cloisonne bangle, from China, has an inner diameter of 2 9/16". The height of the band is 3/4", and the thickness of the bangle varies from 3/16" to 6/16". The base is copper and the cloisonne is executed in the very traditional manner, not as you see it today. The cloisons are actually cut and applied by hand. They are not a stamped piece that glass is poured into. The color is very rich, and again, follows the antique pallette. The interior of the bracelet is a beautiful turquoise blue enamel. Excellent condition. DH191-07
- $70
Vintage Mexican Sterling & Turquoise Child's Bracelet. This vintage Mexican sterling and turquoise girl's bracelet measures 5 1/2" long. Each link is adorned with a bezel-set cabochon turquoise and silver beads. The turquoise are well-matched. The hook clasp is marked "Mexico" and "sterling". Very good condition. DH199-07 Another View - $45
Vintage Mexican Sterling and Gold Dome Earrings - Pierced. These vintage Mexican sterling pierced earrings measure about 1" across. There is a thin gold wire that runs around the rim of the very mirror-like domes. Back is marked for sterling, Mexico, and with the Taxco and artist's post-1979 registry mark. DH204-07 - $42
Navajo Sterling & Turquoise Vintage Stickpin. This sterling silver and turquoise stickpin was hand made by Navaho craftsmen in the 1970s. The head has geometric stampings and cutout work. The cabochon turquoise stone is set in a recessed circle. There are no maker’s marks. The stickpin head measures about 1 3/8" long and the total stickpin length is 3 5/8" long. It is in very good condition and is a beautiful piece of Native American craftsmanship. DH226-07 - $45
Vintage Mexican Woven Link Graduated Necklace. This c1960 Mexican necklace has an elegant, contemporary look. It is 24" long, graduated, and composed of intricately linked braided circles of silverplated copper. You can see a bit of the copper on close inspection. Very good condition. DH231-07 Another View - $42
Vintage Mexican Art Deco Silver Deer Earrings. These vintage Mexican silver earrings measure a big looking 1 1/2" tall. Art Deco period deer gracefully pose. These are screwback earrings and are marked "Mexico" and "silver" on the posts.
DH235-07
- $38
Two-Strand Navajo Stone Necklace. This c. 1980 Navajo Indian necklace measures 25" long. The centerpiece is a fringe of graduated trapezoidal tigereye beads. the remained of the necklace is shell heishi interspersed by silverplated roses, spacers, liquid silver, additional tigereye, and elongated beads. DH248-07
- $45
Beautiful Vintage Siam Niello Sterling Set. This vintage sterling Siam set includes a 1 5/8" diameter brooch and 15/16" diameter round clip earrings. Dancing aspara, the royal dancers, are depicted against a rich niello background. The engraving of the brooch is particularly detailed. Very good condition. Creation of this type of jewelry has been in a decline with the dying out of skilled craftsmen and the increased labor cost for a very labor-intensive product. DH249-07
- $48
This item has recently been sold.
Long Sterling Solje Wedding Brooch from Norway. This Norwegian wedding brooch, with the symbol of the wedding crown and heart, is traditionally worn by married women as part of the Norwegian folk costume. It measures 2 7/8" long and sports three long pendants fashioned from filigree hearts. Vermeil dangles, called "spoons" are highly polished to catch the light. Signed "Norway," "925," and "SE," for the maker. This pin is in very good condition, with the sterling having a warmer patina due to age. C-clasp for closure.
The solje customarily worn with the bunad, dates to pre-Christian times. It is believed that the shapes were originally talismanic. DH281-07 - $90
Rare Antique Japanese Figural Locket. Antique Japanese jewelry over 100 years old is very rare. This antique handworked gold filled locket measures 1 1/2" long and is decorated on both sides. Against colorful mother-of-pearl are scenes of a pulled rickshaw, and a "wasen", a traditional Japanese wooden boat, with Mount Fuji in the background. The scenes are colored in different colors of gold, and silver for the figures. The inside will hold two photographs and is silverplated tin. Dates to the late 19th century. DH286-07
- $195
This item has recently been sold.
Vintage Handpainted Persian Bird Pendant/ Necklace. This vintage Persian (Iranian) pendant measures about 1" long on a 15 1/2" silverplated fine chain. The pendant shows a handpainted scene of a bird in the reeds sourrounded by a fancy russet-colored border. The pendant is set into a silvertone metal frame. Very good condition.
DH293-07 - $33
Antique Carved Jade Bird Pendant. Antique jade pendant is 1 1/2" long and carved both sides with the same bird design. Soft, pale green coloration with russet and grey areas. Strung on a new pale pink silk cord. DH328-08
- $42
Heishi & Turquoise Navajo Indian Necklace. This necklace is approximately 19" long and is composed of graduated moon shell heishi with pen shell accents and four nugget turquoise beads. A central Navaho pendant has a lovely freeform turquoise piece 1 1/4" long. Barrel-style closure. Beautiful handmade work. Very good condition.
The word heish (heishe) originally meant shell, but has come to mean tiny beads formed from shell and usually strung in a line. In the past, the raw shell materials came from trade with coastal Indians and the resulting heishi were considered the only jewelry derived from native culture. Heishi are also strongly linked with Pueblo life.
To produce heishi the beads are first roughly shaped, strung, and then finished to a round shape by rolling on sandstone. This is labor-intensive and there is a lot of waste through breakage. DH315-08 - $70
Vintage Signed Mexican Bolo/ Lariat Necktie of Aztec Sun God. This exquisite necktie has a 33 inch dark brown braided leather lariat with a 1 3/4" tall sterling slide. The slide is highly detailed, depicting an ancient Aztec god, possibly Tonatiuh, a sun god. The surface is almost entirely hand engraved. The face looks cast.
The reverse is signed, forming a triangle, "Hecho en Mexico 925 ACE Gaudalahara Sterling." This maker is noted in "The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks" by Billie Hougart. This piece is in excellent condition. DH339-08 Another View
- $165
Zuni Inlaid Sterling Owl Brooch Signed and Dated. The owl is called the "night grandfather" by the Zuni. Owls have the ability to see what we cannot and are associated with truth, wisdom, and divination. They are used as a Zuni hunting fetish and mother's are said to place an owl feather with a baby to aid sleep.
This charming fellow measures about 1 1/2" tall. Handmade, and set into sterling, the various inlays are cowry shell, onyx, turquoise, coral, and mother-of-pearl. This brooch also has a pendant loop. The reverse is signed "Snowe 81 Zuni." Very good condition. LH232-08
- $52
Native American Sterling and Lapis Set. It's often difficult to find matching pieces of Native American jewelry. This sterling set features domed, medium-blue lapis hearts. The settings are decorated Navajo-style. The pendant measures 7/8" tall and its chain is 18" long. The matching post earrings measure 3/4" tall. The size 8 ring features a 3/4" inch heart. All pieces are marked "Q.T.", for the maker, who has been identified elsewhere as Native American, and "925". Excellent condition. LH244-08
