EARLY "OLD PAWN" AMERICAN SOUTHWEST (NAVAJO) BAR with Six Vivid Natural Untreated Turquoise

EARLY "OLD PAWN" AMERICAN SOUTHWEST (NAVAJO) BAR WITH SIX VIVID NATURAL TURQUOISE OVALS

rare example of early Navajo work, possibly made as a woman's manta ornament (for traditional woven blanket garment)

Circa : 1890's - 1930's,

early hand-forged silver, heavy and hand-made throughout

Six Turquoise oval cabochons,, proportions varying, sizes 3/8 "long x 1/4" wide to a the smallest a little over 1/4" long, natural intense to vivid color and matrix variations as typical with valued early material, each in hand-formed silver collar.

Applied twisted silver wire in three-lobe "crown" atop largest turquoise, and encircling the entire series of gems;
Pulled wire is applied all around in a border of loops.
Verso with two copper rings, apparently for attachment to a garment by the original owner; the top one now has an added silver oval pendant ring
Name of maker or early owner scratched faintly on back : "Helen ..."

Length : 4" x 3/4" wide

Gross wt : 1.2 troy ounce

Provenance : according to the owner, purchased 1962 "at the side of the road in the Southwest"
# wlz 18021 .....................................................................................................SOLD