Hi all! I keep getting all the pieces am clueless about. Wondering if anyone recognizes this mark. It looks like JHK to me but I very well could be wrong. Also is this cast? It’s quite heavy. Also has nice original chain. I appreciate you all ! Thank you for any and all help😊
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Here’s a similar kachina, but this one is unmarked. Wondering if they are all unmarked and the initials you’re seeing are the past owner’s.
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I agree with @TAH that it’s not a hallmark. Has the metal of the pendant and the chain been tested for silver? It has that Carolyn Pollack type mass-produced, non-Native look, though the chain looks potentially Native made and sterling. Heavy can mean a base metal body.
What was stated about it when you purchased?
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In my opinion, the bezels look to be faux bezels. From the photo, on the close-up examination the “stones” don’t look to be held in by the bezels.
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Completely not helpful, but this was my first impression looking at your kachina pendant
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Your kachina is made by Sancrest (Sanford and Sons, and other names), a quality costume jewelry maker that specialized in the Native American style in the 1920’s-1970’s. The engraving on the back is not the maker mark. The turquoise is plastic and the silver is made from chrome plated scrap metal. It was part of the Fred Harvey era. They sometimes based their jewelry on actual artist creations. This kachina is based on the work of Art Lewis, a Choctaw silversmith from Taos, NM. The original kachina by the artist might have soldered 40 or 50 pieces, or more, of silver to craft this. You might notice that it is but one piece, cast from a mold.
Some of Sancrest’s jewelry was made of sterling silver. The pictures do not show the detail that would help identify this as sterling.
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Thanks @CeeLee! Welcome to the group…we always welcome replies by knowledgable individuals. Your information about the work of Art Lewis is greatly appreciated!