Silver Butterfly with Inventive Stampwork »

Navajo

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About The Artwork

Exquisitive silver butterfly with meticulous creative stampwork. The body measures 3 1/4" from the cleverly made probosciss "bail" (for hanging from a necklace) to the tips of its back wings. The front wing span is 2 9/16". With the curved antenae overall, dimensions are increased to 3 15/16" height X 3 1/8" across. A gorgeous oval of natural turquoise stone is bezel set for the "thorax". The color is a deep aqua blue with golden to charcoal color matrix (some natural pits being filled with jeweler's filings for a smooth surface without cutting away any more previous material. The Navajo artist marked this clever work with an equally smart little spider with an "E" on its abdomen. There is a long pin with a safety clasp across the top wings, so this beauty can be worn as a brooch or a pendant. Butterflies are symbols of new life--an ideal accent for Spring!

About The Artist

The Navajo were the first of the Native Americans of the Southwest to learn silversmithing from the Spanish. Most Navajo jewelry emphasizes silver, with turquoise stones used as an accent. Some pieces are cast in sand or tufa molds, while others are hammered, using a male stamp and a female die.

Other Works By Artist:

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