New Mexico Pueblo Silver Cross Necklace [SOLD]

This New Mexico Pueblo cross necklace is comprised of 61 handmade silver beads, 18 smaller handmade silver crosses and one larger handmade silver cross with a heart. Necklaces of this type were made and worn by most of the pueblo peoples in the 1800s and early 1900s. The double bar crosses are representation of a dragonfly. It is not hard to see how a cross with two crossbars can be seen to look like a dragonfly as it hovers in the air with outstretched wings, and when the cross is made of silver, light hitting the metal has reflective qualities not unlike the iridescence of a dragonfly's wings. The heart at the bottom of the double bar cross is referred to as the "heart of the dragonfly."

Upon observing a necklace with crosses made by a Pueblo silversmith, one's first reaction might be to think of these crosses strictly in the European, Christian sense. Admittedly, some of the crosses created by Indian smiths were made with the thought of the Christian religion in mind. But for the majority that were made during the principal years that these necklaces and crosses were being produced and worn, a predominant belief in native over imported religion allowed most Indian people to view these articles within their own traditions, something that continues for many today.

Placing what appears to be Christian crosses within the silver beads may have been a consideration to the Franciscan priest at the pueblo and placing the dragonfly cross as a pendant to the necklace may have been for the pueblo accommodation.  Melding the two religions into one necklace was a means of accepting each.

It is very difficult to place a date on a necklace of this style to any degree of accuracy.  The easiest parts to date are the handmade beads and these do appear to be older, possibly the first quarter of the 20^th century.  The silver crosses are much more difficult to date as they have not changed in style significantly since the 1800s.The necklace is strung on cotton string in the style of older ones but it probably has been re-strung many times.

Regardless of age determination, the necklace is extraordinary and follows all the parameters of the early ones from pueblos like Isleta and Laguna, where some of the finest were made.

Recommended Reading: Heart of the Dragonfly: Historical Development of the Cross Necklaces of the Pueblo and Navajo Peoples by Allison Bird.  This book is currently not available from Adobe Gallery.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: from the collection of a gentleman from Colorado