This timeless piece would be a great addition to your jewelry collection. Beautiful dragonfly pendant made out of sterling silver and Turquoise by Navajo artist Martha Cayatineto. The pendant has a satin finish, and it has an open shepard's hook so you can take off the bale and wear the pendant with or without it. (Chain not included) Weighs 24 grams. Signed
1 11/16” wide x 2 3/4” long (without bale)
1 11/16” wide x 3 3/4” long (with bale)
Artist card included
The Navajos began working with silver in the 19th century, and began making things like buckles, bridles, buttons, rings, canteens, hollow beads, earrings, crescent-shaped pendants (called “najas”), bracelets, crosses, powder chargers, tobacco canteens, and conchos (for belts). Their silversmithing skills has evolved and changed throughout the years, and in about 1880 Navajo silversmiths started to set turquoise in their silver work. Traditionally, Navajo artists worked with jewelry techniques like repousee and stamp work, but today they explored in other Native American jewelry making techniques like Zuni inlay work and Hopi overlay work.