I inherited this ring from my grandfather and have no information about it. He had another piece with it (bracelet?) that my grandmother sold before I could nab the pair. Can anyone tell me anything about it? I’ve done a lot of research in the past and could not find this maker’s mark. ETA: The ring is about 1.25” across.
My grandparents spent a lot of time traveling through the Southwest, in NM and Arizona, through the 1970s and 1980s. My grandmother’s family is from Southern Colorado and had artists in the family, so started going to Taos in the 1930s and 1940s. They had a real affinity for Native American art and collected quite a bit, most of which my aunt took.
This is another piece I had looked at by Jack Wartell in Denver — I would recommend not going to him, as mentioned on this other thread. He told me this is a bobcat, not bear, claw, and that it has a “TD” mark on the back, which I already knew because I have eyes.
I appreciate any insights! I’d love to know more about this cherished piece.
I’ll add a few pics of the squash blossom too. Grandpa bought this one, from the maker if I recall correctly. The story is that they agreed on a price ($300? More? It was the ‘70s), and Grandpa went to the bank to get the money. When he returned, the artist had decided he wanted more, but Grandpa only had the amount they’d agreed on and they ultimately decided a deal was a deal. I hope he didn’t bilk the artist. It’s not signed. My mom inherited it, and I talked her into giving it to me for my 50th birthday. It was really the main thing I wanted from their estate - I’ve always loved it.
Anybody have an idea of the maker or people of the artist? I haven’t been able to find it. Elk, Montana, or Elk Mountain? Is it Navajo? I would think so, but that wouldn’t make sense if it is indeed Montana.
Found this on the Amerindian site (that site has some incorrect hallmarks; I start there because I don’t have the best books), but I didn’t have a chance to Google the artist to see if they have made similar pieces to yours; that’s the next thing I would do. There is an actual Elk Mountain in New Mexico - a mountain, not a town.
