Sunday, March 21, 2010

Native American Kokopelli Dancer


www.southwestskyjewelry.etsy.com

Native American Kokopelli
Dancer Symbol

Kokopelli, also known as "the Hump Backed Flute Player" and/or "the Mythical Piper of the Native American
Southwest", has drawn from both ancient and modern influences. In Native American culture, Kokopelli presides
over both childbirth and agriculture. Two tribes, Pueblo and Hopi Indians believe Kokopelli brings happiness
and fertility to all who hear his flute playing.

The Kokopelli is often depicted with animal companions such as rams and deer, snakes, or water-loving animals like
lizards and insects, because one Native American belief is that the Kokopelli presides over the reproduction of
game animals.

Kokopelli is important to this culture for his domain over agriculture also. It is believed that the Kokopelli's
fluteplaying chases away the Winter and brings on Spring. Kokopelli is associated with rains and maize grinding
ceremonies. Some tribes say he carries seeds and babies on his back.

Kokopelli, (often incorporated in jewelry items), continues to be one of the most easily recognized figures from
ancient and modern Native American and Southwestern Culture.


Today my Featured Item is a Beautiful Heavy Collectible Kokopelli Pendant:

Collectible Vintage Sterling Silver Kokopelli Large Heavy Pendant. Marked "STERL" and Other Hallmarks that I Can Not Make Out.

Kokopelli-Also Known as the Humped Back Flute Player. This is One of the Native American Symbols of Prosperity,
Music and Joy.

Measurements: 2-1/2" Long X 1-1/4" Wide X 3/8" Thick

Weighs: 23gms.

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Friday, March 19, 2010

Native American and Southwestern Jewelry




www.southwestskyjewelry.etsy.com
Featured Today:

Vintage Collectible Taxco Sterling Grape Earrings and Pin / Brooch

This Pin / Brooch and Earring Set are the Classic Old Grape with Grape Leaf Sterling Taxco Design. The Earrings are Screwback.

Hallmarked. "AARON PLATA TAXCO 925". One Earring has the "Spread Eagle 3" Mark.

Measurements: Pin 1-1/2" X 1-1/2". Earrings 3/4" X 3/4".

Collectible.

Quarter in Photos is to Help Show Relative Size.

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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Native American Southwestern Jewelry

SOLD
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Navajo Turquoise Coral Sterling Vintage Blossom Ring

Description
Vintage Genuine Turquoise and Coral Stones are Set in Navajo Sterling Silver Wrap Ring. The Silver Tooling is the Navajo Applique Technique in the Blossom Design. Sterling Rope Design Edging.

This Wrap Around Style is 1 of my Favorites...it is Very Flattering on the Finger!

Marked "STERLING".

Ring Size 7-1/2 and Can be Adjusted Slightly Being a Wrap Around Ring.

Decorative Front is 1" Tall on the Finger; the Band in Back is 1/8" Wide.

Turquoise Stone Measures 3/8" X 1/4".
Coral Stone Measures 5/16" X 3/16".

Weighs 6gms.

Very Pretty Southwestern Ring!

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Sunday, March 14, 2010

Squash Blossom Native American Southwest Jewelry

SOLD
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Today's Feature Item:

Turquoise Sterling Squash Blossom Vintage Pendant

Description:
Nice Old Genuine Turquoise Squash Blossom Pendant in Sterling Silver.

Measurements:
2-1/8" Long with Bail
1-3/4" Long without Bail
5/8" Wide

Bail: 3/8" X 1/4" with 3/16" Opening

Turquoise Stone: 3/4"L X 1/2"W

Weighs: 7gms

Unique Southwestern Pendant!

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Saturday, March 13, 2010

Native American and Southwest Jewelry


www.southwestskyjewelry.etsy.com

What is a Native American Naja?

The Naja used in Native American jewelry design is a crescent shape which was possibly first seen by Native Americans on Spanish Horses. The Naja was worn as a decorative chest piece on the Spaniards' horses.

As the Navajo became very skilled silversmiths,the Naja became a very popular symbol done in silver work. Turquoise and coral was also incorporated into their Naja designs, along with hand tooled Native American symbols.

Contemporary Navajo art still includes the Naja symbol and is very sought after, especially by collectors.

Description of the Naja I am Featuring today:
Turquoise Coral Sterling Vintage 2 Sided Naja Pendant and Chain:
Beautiful 2 Sided Vintage Naja Pendant on 23" Vintage Chain. 5 Shadow Box Set Turquoise Stones on 1 Side, and 5 Shadow Box Set Coral Stones on the Other Side.

The Top of the Large Bail is Marked "Sterling" with a Hallmark that I Can Not Read.

The Bail is Stationary to the Naja (it was Made as Part of the Naja).

Measurements:
2-1/2" Long From the Top of Bale to Bottom of Naja
Naja Pendant: 2" Wide
3/8" Thick
Shadow Box Settings: 5/8" X 3/8"
Turquoise & Coral Cabochons: 1/4" X 1/8"
Bail: 1/2" X 1/2" with 1/8" Opening
Chain: 23" Long From End to End
Rectangular Links: 3/8" X 3/16"

Chain & Naja Pendant Weigh 36gms.

Collectible Pendant & Chain!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Native American and Southwest Jewelry


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March 12, 2010

Ever Wonder What Spiny Oyster Is?

Spiny Oyster
"One of the most popular shells used in Native American Jewelry is Spiny Oyster Shell.
Spiny Oyster shells are found in the Sea of Cortez, off the coast of the Baja Mexico and Baja California.
They are prized for their brilliant colors (purple, orange, red and yellow) which blends nicely with turquoise.
The Spiny Oyster shell has been used for adornment since ancient times and artifacts have been found in the sites of the
Aztecs, Anasazi, Mogollon and Hohokam".

I love the creamy orange color...it is a beautiful compliment to turquoise!

I have used spiny oyster and turquoise beads in this bracelet:

Copper and Turquoise Spiney Oyster Charm Bracelet
Description:
Handmade Copper Charm Bracelet Features a Vintage Hallmarked Teardrop Shape Centerpiece (Marked "Copper"), with a "Quarter Moon and Steps" Southwestern Motif.

Also Attached are Tons of Turquoise and Spiny Oyster Stones, Nuggets and Beads, Along with Some Cute Spiral Copper Charms and Beads. Sturdy 5/8" Diameter Copper Toggle Clasp.

The Bracelet Measures 8" From End to End Fitting Up to and Including a 7" Wrist with the Toggle Clasp Closed.

Bracelet Chain is Approx. 1/2" Wide with the Charms Dangling Down From this.

The Nature of this Bracelet is to Hang Chunky and Bold on the Wrist.

Weighs 76gms

Colorful Southwest Bracelet!

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