Needing some real help from y’all. I acquired this squash from the daughter of an old saddlemaker that died in 1985. She is in her late 70’s. Her Dad would trade work for pieces like this. Most of the collection I purchased dates from the 1950’s to the mid 1970’s. Her is one of the pieces that I need help with. More to come LOL. The Yazzie family is huge! I did find one reference to Earnest and it mentioned that he would sign his name on his pieces. Which mine has. I can not find out anything more about him or any other work attributed to him. Could you guys offer your thoughts as to this piece with regard to dating it and possible value? I’m getting old and my kids are getting nervous. Trying to get some records together on the pieces in my collection. I’ve included several quick pics and can shoot more if needed. I’m so great full to all the wonderful people here and appreciate the vast knowledge that is offered so freely.
Hi ~ That’s a nice squash blossom necklace. Unfortunately, I don’t have any info about it to help you. You mentioned that you bought a collection of jewelry ranging from the 1950s-1970s. Also, that there’s more to come. I can’t help but wonder if you’d be better served having your entire collection appraised by a professional jewelry appraiser knowledgeable in Native American jewelry. Especially if you’re looking for valuation for insurance purposes and/or fair market value for reselling the jewelry. As far as I know, no one here is a jewelry appraiser, myself included. Maybe others will chime in with general information about your lovely squash blosssom necklace.
Definitely headed that way. Have a few names but would appreciate any recommendations.
Thinking 1970’s as to age. Thots on the beads - bench?
I’m pretty sure you’re right about it dating to the 70’s based on style. The mixing of turquoise with coral, use of irregular/branch coral, and leaf motifs on the silver are all very common 70’s design motifs. Beads are bench made–two machined halves hand soldered together assembly line style. They would not be considered hand made. Bench beads also point to 70’s as most squash blossoms prior to the 70’s would have hand made beads.
For what its worth I’m leaning more toward late 1970s - 1980s.
Anybody know anything about the silversmith?
Knowledge about a particular silversmith presumes that’s who actually signed it. Other than a name written with a vibratory engraver which could have been added by any one at any time, is there an original receipt from that person or anything else that could corroborate that’s the actual maker of the squash?
Oh my - you have a good point! Why do have to worry about such things? Not too worried about this here as was taken in trade back in the late 1970’s or very early 80’s and has been in daughter’s possession since Dad died. She is mid 70’s and I know her - good family.
Well intentioned as this may be, this is likely not enough substantiated provenance to lawfully represent the item as the work of a particular artist or tribe. It’s certain someone made it, and the time frame fits the style of the work, but once again the ‘signature’ could have well been added after the fact by someone other than the actual maker at anytime before your relative was in possession of the necklace. Without documentation, you really have no way of knowing and I can’t imagine you’d want to run the risk of getting into hot water relying on hearsay over what could turn out to be a forged signature (an all too common practice in this area I’m afraid).
As to why you ( and all of us for that matter) have to worry about such things, please see the provisions and requirements of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990. The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 | U.S. Department of the Interior