Diné (Navajo) Sterling Silver and Turquoise Eagle Pin [SOLD]

When the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway arrived in the American Southwest in the 1880s, the designs, shapes and styles of jewelry, pottery, textiles and other art forms began to change as a result of the influence of the tourist market. One design that was extremely popular was that of an eagle. A “Symbol of America” as well as a very special bird for Native Americans, the eagle motif was frequently used in jewelry and sold to tourists eager for a unique, hand-made piece of American symbolism and strength.

This eagle pin is a very good example of one made during the 1920s to 1940s. It is cut and shaped from sheet silver and then delicately stamped to create eagle feathers. A beautiful blue turquoise stone is set in the middle.

Provenance: Retrieved from pawn in January 2010.