Navajo Three Turquoise Stone Silver Ring with Snake Stampwork [SOLD]

C4102-11-ring2.jpg

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Jeweler Once Known
  • Category: Jewelry Rings
  • Origin: Diné of the Navajo Nation
  • Medium: Turquoise and Sterling Silver
  • Size: 1” x ½”;
    Ring Size: 6, adjustable
  • Item # C4102.11
  • SOLD

When the railroad arrived in the American Southwest at the turn of the 20th Century, it brought with it tourists eager to purchase items to remind them of their travels. To meet the demand for these travelers, traders and hotel owners heavily relied on cheap manufactured items. In 1941, the government ordered that only handmade Indian jewelry be sold in National Parks. In addition, during this time period, the US Government formed the Navajo Arts and Crafts Guild. The Guild offered classes and provided guidelines for not only artists, but for traders. Both of these events helped to insure that tourists traveling along Route 66 or riding the The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (*AT&SF) bought authentic Native American jewelry.

Alternate view of this ring.This three-stone Jewelry Ring is an example of an exceptional tourist piece that was handmade using high quality materials. The three stones are securely set on a base with small silver balls in between the turquoise. A delicate piece of twisted wire was placed surrounding the stones. The shank consists of an applique edging with diamond shaped motifs along with an assortment of fine lace-like stamps and intriguing snakes. The ring is open in the back to make sizing adjustable.


Condition: this Navajo Three Turquoise Stone Silver Ring with Snake Stampwork excellent condition

Provenance: from a Colorado collection

Recommended Reading:

- Southwest Silver Jewelry by Paula Baxter

- White Metal Universe: Jewelry from the Fred Harvey Collection by Cynthia Davies

- Indian Jewelry of the American Southwest by William A. Turnbaugh

*AT&SF: The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (reporting mark ATSF), often abbreviated as Santa Fe or AT&SF, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. Chartered in February 1859, the railroad reached the Kansas-Colorado border in 1873 and Pueblo, Colorado, in 1876. To create a demand for its services, the railroad set up real estate offices and sold farm land from the land grants that it was awarded by Congress. Despite the name, its main line never served Santa Fe, New Mexico, as the terrain was too difficult; the town ultimately was reached by a branch line from Lamy.

Relative Links: Indian jewelryJewelry RingDiné - Navajo Nation

Jeweler Once Known
  • Category: Jewelry Rings
  • Origin: Diné of the Navajo Nation
  • Medium: Turquoise and Sterling Silver
  • Size: 1” x ½”;
    Ring Size: 6, adjustable
  • Item # C4102.11
  • SOLD

C4102-11-ring2.jpgC4102-11-large2.jpg Click on image to view larger.