Diné Silver and Turquoise Hair Barrette by Julianna Williams [SOLD]

This Navajo hair barrette by Julianna Williams has a solid silver backing, that is curved, on which is a floral arrangement of beautiful green turquoise cabs.  The center section has a row of cabs on the outer perimeter and a floral arrangement in the middle, the two separated by a row of silver half-moon elements.  The two ends of the barrette are semicircular in shape and filled with matching green turquoise.  A pin penetrates the two end pieces and serves to secure the barrette on the hair of the wearer.

Many accommodations were made by Native artisans to satisfy the non-Native market for Native-made items in pottery, textiles, baskets, and jewelry.  Barrettes such as this were made for non-Native buyers. They were particularly liked for use at festive occasions as they provided a degree of color and decoration to the back of the head, an area not regularly decorated.

The barrette is stamped with the initials JWMS.  JW has been identified as those of Julianna Williams and the MS has been suggested to be those of her sister-in-law, whose name has not yet been identified.

Condition: original condition

Provenance: this Diné Silver and Turquoise Hair Barrette by Julianna Williams is from the estate of Edythe L. Gozdiskowski 

Recommended Reading:  The Allure of Turquoise by Arnold Vigil

Relative Links: Southwest Indian Jewelry, Navajo Nation, Juliana Williams