As I’ve looked far and wide, I’ve yet to see another example similar to this Navajo Pen Holder. This piece has the “Horned Sun” hallmark on the underneath of the platform, characteristic of the Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise, adn was likely fabricated using the tufa-cast method. The platform is large in size, approx 4.25" x 5.25", and weighs over 6 oz total. I do know this piece was acquired by my family in the late 1950s, and most likely directly from the NACE.
@mazarine99 Very nice! I haven’t seen a Native American made pen holder before, either. (I can’t help but wonder if it’s perhaps one piece of a custom-made desk set.)
It could be part of a set, though I am inclined to think not. I’m fairly certain my father would have acquired the entire set had there been additional pieces.
I did find a similarly large and substantial pen holder that was gorgeous, certainly Navajo, but a different style. It was round and perhaps more delicate in terms of the design style.
What a special piece, as is anything from the Navajo Arts and Crafts Guild. As others have said I haven’t seen a pen holder either, and I would have noticed it! Love the simple, almost Arts and Crafts style on the base. Thanks for sharing this wonderful piece!
Agreed. I’ve tried contacting NACE to see if they could lead me in a direction to determine the artist who created this piece, but their email form returned an error, sadly.
