The Jerusalem cross on the bottom right is not native made, but too beautiful not to include. I bought that one from the man that created it in Jerusalem.
I think the round one in the middle that is chip inlay counts as a cross, doesn’t it?
I have a Christmas tree that I do with silver crosses (but have some other designs also). Reed and Barton has been making a line of Christmas crosses since 1971, and I have every one of them. My mom started that the year I was born and it’s the gift that I look forward to receiving from my parents every year, our annual cross. I’ve started adding a few of my native American ones to the tree, also.
Nice variety of crosses! And the Reed and Barton collection of crosses are fabulous! What a great idea for Christmas trees. I’m going to look for Christmas tree crosses for next year!
@nanc9354 I think you were referring to the double cross? If so, yes, that one is Native made. Sadly, I do not know of any of the makers for these.
I don’t know if the sand cast Cross necklace with the conchos is Mexican or American made. It doesn’t have any marks on the back, but it is a fairly old one.
@Bmpdvm thank you! You can find the crosses, as well as many other sterling silver ornaments made by silverware makers. Reed and Barton, Gorham, Towle, etc…they all make sterling ornaments, too. You can find them online fairly easily but I use sterlingcollectibles.com or silverqueen.com for most of mine…eBay has a lot, too. I’ve also been known to pull the crosses off the tree and put them on my neck ring or a chain, so they double as jewelry. Hahaha
@Xtina. Thanks so much for the information. I was going to try to find some online, but now I have a great resources…and 10 months to collect before Christmas😄.
Ooh, Aaah…those cross pendents are fabulous!! Another example of the simpler the better. At first I thought they were yours! I’ll have to keep my eyes open for his crosses😉
Yes, his work to me is a perfect example of beautiful simplicity. I am blessed to have 3 pieces made by him. I have some beautiful stones from my mother’s old earrings that she bought in the mid-40’s (the turquoise is loose, and the earrings are broken), and I was hoping to have him make them into a ring or pendant, but unfortunately I never got around to asking him. You have heard he passed away?
Oh I’m so sorry, it seems so many wonderful artist are not longer with us! As I recall the last time I saw him was at the Heard show 3-4 years ago? Glad I was able to buy a really nice sugilite pendant directly from him!
You all aren’t finished yet are you? I found a couple more to share:
This cast cross is by Eugene Mitchell. I had it strung on vintage seafoam green seed beads:
And last is this 30 cross tab necklace made by Mildred Parkhurst. It’s a fairly contemporary piece made in the style of a pueblo style necklace supposedly made for the wife of Kit Carson (Indian Silver Jewelry of the Southwest 1868 - 1930 by Larry Frank, p 75):
Awesomeness, @Bmpdvm! They are all beautiful (that cross squash!!), but the little MOP one is so sweet. I’m kind of surprised I don’t have more. Maybe eventually!
Thank you to you, @Ziacat , and @chicfarmer for the posts regarding Ira’s passing. Don’t know how I missed it; I’ve been out of the loop off and on and have cancelled Facebook. Time is moving fast and sad changes along with it. He and so many others certainly leave behind their legacy through their wonderful work.
How could I forget these. I bought them somewhere on the plaza in Santa Fe around '90, and wore them a lot. But eventually they were a bit too heavy, and a couple years ago I had them switched to posts (they were wires). Not signed, but if I remember right, they are Navajo.
Truly amazing. If I had it though, I would only look at it. I barely wear my depression era Santo Domingo necklace, because the tabs flipping over drive me insane.
I do have a single strand turquoise and spiny oyster heishi necklace that my mother bought from Mary Lovato at the Eiteljorg Indian Art Market a loooong time ago, and I treasure it.
