Navajo Sterling Silver and Turquoise Letter Opener [SOLD]

After the arrival of the railroad in the American Southwest, Fred Harvey opened a chain of hotels along the route and marketed these places as exotic destinations. The art and architecture of these hotels were intended to reflect the vision Harvey had created as typically “Southwestern.” The souvenirs sold at his restaurants and hotels were made to appeal to the esthetic of the traveler. Small items which were easy to carry were most popular.

Navajos learned the art of silversmithing from the Mexicans in the mid-19^th Century. Atsidi Sani “Old Smith” (1828-1918) is considered to be one of the first Navajo smiths to work with silver. Initially, silver was hammered into the desired shape and designs were chiseled into the piece. Later pieces featured stamp work and turquoise stones.  As the demand for tourist pieces increased, more artists were able to make a living as jewelers. In addition to jewelry, silver objects such as boxes, bookmarks and letter openers were made.

This letter opener has fine stamp work that is carefully rendered with a series of descending scallops on the handle of the opener. A beautiful blue turquoise stone is set at the top. The bottom part is stamped with symmetrical designs.

The letter opener is stamped “Sterling” on the back. Both the stone and the silverwork are in excellent condition.     

Condition: very good condition

Recommended Reading:  Inventing the Southwest: The Fred Harvey Company and Native American Art by Kathleen L. Howard, Heard Museum Staff, Diana F. Pardue

Provenance: from a gentleman in Colorado