Navajo Squash Blossom Necklace with Sky Blue Turquoise Gemstones

C4260A-necklace.jpg

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Jeweler Once Known
  • Category: Necklaces
  • Origin: Diné of the Navajo Nation
  • Medium: Silver and Turquoise
  • Size: 24” End to End;
    Naja: 3” x 3-½”
  • Item # C4260A
  • SOLD

Simple loop and hook secures this necklace.

Large sky blue turquoise cabochons framed in elaborately crafted silver leaf squash blossoms are the focal point of this 1970s Diné necklace. Twelve carefully made squash blossoms are strung and placed on a double strand of small silver beads.  A naja composed of eight brilliant cabochons of the prettiest blue turquoise dangles from the bottom. Made during the 1970s, this is a quintessential example of jewelry of the time. The 70s was a time when movie stars and celebrities adorned themselves with the biggest and brightest pieces of silver and turquoise jewelry.  Fashion houses featured the look and national media focused on the style of the Southwest. 

According to Diana Pardue in Contemporary Southwest Jewelry:  “Nationwide attention was focused upon American Indian art in the 1970s as fashion designers Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein incorporated American Indian designs into their couture. During those years, the Heard Museum held annual juried invitational arts and crafts sales show . . .  Arizona Highways and New Mexico Magazine continued to feature American Indian art, occasionally turning their attention to jewelry.” 

Native American jewelry became increasingly more popular, new materials and tools became readily available and transportation improved on the Navajo Reservation, helping to create an explosion of  jewelry making in the mid- to late-20th century. During the 70s almost every family on the reservation had someone involved in the jewelry making business.  

The history of the squash blossom necklace goes back to ancient times. The design elements of this Navajo turquoise necklace are a combination of Spanish and Moorish roots. Innovative Diné and Pueblo silversmiths integrated these designs and utilized them to create their own characteristic look. “Squash” blossoms most probably originated from the Spanish custom of embellishing men’s trousers with silver pomegranate buttons along the sides. The pomegranate is the symbol for the city of Granada, a city in Spain.  Native artists adopted these and used them as adornments for necklaces. 

The “naja” pendant has roots even farther back. It is said that the symbol came originally from the Moors who used the symbol as a protective talisman on their horses. This in turn was adopted by the Spanish when they traveled to the New World and then on to Mexican silversmiths. Photos from the late 19th century show Diné headstalls with the naja and, shortly after, used as pendants in necklaces. 

This large beautiful necklace incorporates all the elements of traditional Diné design made during the boisterous times of the 70s. The stones are bright and dazzling, the silver is ornate, extremely well fashioned and heavy.  As there were many, many artists working at the time, we are unable to determine who the artist is although it is hallmarked with the letter T and an upside-down T, adjacent to each other.


Condition: The Navajo Squash Blossom Necklace with Sky Blue Turquoise Gemstones is in excellent condition. 

Provenance: From a resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico

Recommended Reading: Contemporary Southwestern Jewelry by Diana Pardue with the Heard Museum

Relative Links: necklaceNavajoSouthwest Indian Jewelry

Close up view of the naja portion of this Navajo necklace.

Jeweler Once Known
  • Category: Necklaces
  • Origin: Diné of the Navajo Nation
  • Medium: Silver and Turquoise
  • Size: 24” End to End;
    Naja: 3” x 3-½”
  • Item # C4260A
  • SOLD

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