This is the Herman Smith butterfly pin-pendant that I mentioned over here. Found it in a local consignment shop. Not cheap, but considerably less expensive than buying a new one would have been – and I didn’t pay shipping! Plus I love butterflies, so once I had wrestled my wallet into submission (and confirmed that the mark on it really was his), it was an easy decision.
Unfortunately I don’t have any history on it beyond the proprietor saying that the consignor originally bought it in New Mexico (IIRC). However, I’m wondering if it might be a slightly earlier piece, as I looked through several online listings for Herman Smith’s butterflies and they typically seem to feature (1) less elaborately curved antennae and (2) no eye dots, such as this one. In fact, I found only one other by him with those features (it was auctioned on estatesales-net in 2023.) But that’s just a guess, and it may have nothing to do with a shift in style.
If anyone has any thoughts on the turquoise, esp. the large oval that forms its body, I would love to hear. Chinese?
Beautiful!! He looks real! I don’t think that looks like Chinese turquoise, but I don’t know what it is. I have a ring with a stone that looks a lot like that, and I haven’t been able to figure it out. I guessed mine to be Pilot Mountain or Turquoise Mountain, but who the heck knows However mine is a much thinner cut which is why I wondered if it was Pilot Mountain. Yours looks a little more domed.
Wow, that’s such a beautiful butterfly! One of the nicest that I’ve seen. The quality speaks for itself and, I just luv all that stampwork. Not sure about the turquoise though it doesn’t look Chinese to me.
@nanc9354 Thanks! I’d never even seen/heard of NA reversible pendants before. And, I came across only 2 other spinner pendants by Hopi silversmiths. If you have time, could you please post a photo of your spinner pendant by Edison Wadsworth? I’d enjoy seeing it.
I posted it a while ago. I could not find the hallmark but it looks just like his work. It is a hallmark that would be easy to fade away. Unsigned Hopi artist, Any guesses to artist?
I can’t believe how long it took me to find this ring. Ziacat inspired me to purchase this ring because I really loved the one she received as a gift. It was the only one I could at the time that fit me
$625?? Keep checking Garland’s also. They had ones similar for waaaay less than that. But that is a beautiful ring. I love these earrings of his on their site.
However mine is a much thinner cut which is why I wondered if it was Pilot Mountain. Yours looks a little more domed.
I enjoy wearing mine as well. It gets a lot of compliments.
Your beautiful pendant by Ruben Saufkie has inspired me too. I’m totally on the look out now.
I really liked this one but it’s way too big. I love this style and I’ll keep checking to see if a smaller one becomes available.
