Navajo Sterling Silver Lidded Pill Box [SOLD]

When the railroad came to New Mexico in 1880, it brought with it tourists eager to purchase souvenirs to remind them of their adventure west. By the early 20th century, Fred Harvey had built a chain of hotels along the railroad catering to the tourist trade.  Making items to satisfy this new and growing market became a profitable business for the Navajo silversmith.  Items such as combs and hair ornaments, brooches of all types, tie tacks and clips, pendants, cuff links, watchbands, key chains, silver tobacco flasks, and silver pill boxes, as well as other items became very popular with the buying public.

Items such as this small pill box would have been found in a Fred Harvey gift shop. It is beautifully hand stamped and has well-crafted hinges and a tight clasp.  It is not stamped with the name of the maker.

Condition: very good condition with a very slight dent on the bottom of insignificance.

Provenance: from a gentleman from Colorado

Recommended Reading: Indian Silver—Navajo and Pueblo Jewelers by Margery Bedinger