Hello everyone, here’s a squash that we acquired as a 1950s or so original. I’m not good at identifying age, so I was wondering if you guys have any tips. Any info would be very much appreciated. Apologies for the bad pics over the keyboard. I just got this piece. It’s strung on foxtail, if that helps. Moderate patina and no signature.
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Are those real turquoise? Curious what the experts will say.
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They don’t feel like block or look like howlite to me, but what do I know? Lol.
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I don’t really know what you want to know. I’m no expert, but to my eye this is a typical c1940-50ish Box and Bow squash blossom. The beads appear hand made, although one has opened at the solder joint down by the Naja. I would not expect a necklace like this to have a hallmark. If it did…I’d be suspicious.
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I have seen some pieces that look to be from the 1940s and 1950s but were more contemporary and made to have that older look. Since I am not good at determining the age of a piece, I was wondering if this necklace indeed looks to be handmade in the 50s, or if it is a revival version. You did answer my question, so thank you!
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It does look older to me. @mmrogers Help!
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I agree with Bmpdvm. Beautiful piece! Here is a collection of necklaces being sold at Mudhead Gallery all dating 1940s-1960s. Note the one on the far left has the same stamp work on the box and bow blossoms.
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Everything about this squash says ‘original’ to me. This one’s a keeper.
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I agree and I noticed the opened bead as well. The beads themselves made me think original. Lovely squash!
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Thank you. I had not noticed the partially open bead. Is soldering necessary? Is glue acceptable?
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You can have the bead repaired (with matching patina restored), but it will necessarily involve disassembling and restringing the squash preferably on the original stringing material so everything remains as original as possible. Not an inexpensive proposition, but in the case of a piece like this, maybe well worth the trouble. You’ll need to engage real professionals for this work and Perry Null is an excellent option if they’re willing to take it on.
Soldering is necessary for this repair. Glue would be a very temporary solution at best. Glue also has a way of going everywhere you don’t want it to, and there is the very real possibility of creating additional issues, and compromising the value of the necklace.
The other option is to simply leave it and enjoy it as is.
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Ooh, great to see this grouping of box and bow squash blossom necklaces! The first one on the right interesting that it has 3 as opposed to 4 leaves on the blossoms. Is that unusual? I’ve always wondered if there any significance to 4 vs 3 leaves, or is it just the choice of the maker. The squash blossoms I have with 4 leaves have more age than those with 3 leaves.
This is my box and bow. It’s the only one I’ve seen with turquoise on the naja (other than dangles). I’m wondering if this might indicate a departure from standard box and bow…maybe a later piece?
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Thank you for your thorough answer. I will probably leave it as-is at least for now. 
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What a fabulous squash! I am not very knowledgeable regarding these necklaces, but I can say that my mom’s squash blossom earrings were purchased in Santa Fe in '45 or '46, and they have 3. I have no idea if the earring would be different than the necklace; my mom would have not been able to afford a necklace back then.
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@Bmpdvm, do you know what mine these stones are from? And did this one just different from color change, of was it replaced? I’m asking because on the same trip my mom bought another pair of earrings, and the turquoise really looks like that green one.
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There’s some debate about whether the 4 petal is older. Many who know the earliest jewelry think so, as I do–but then one prominent and knowledgeable dealer says he’s seen 3 petal blossoms on oldest examples.
One problem is in how the major museum collections describe these necklaces: they don’t actually specify how many petals are in the 1800s-1910s necklaces. It’s like they didn’t think it significant enough to mention. But photos do show lots of examples of First Phase necklaces with 4 petals, and that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. 
The Barnes Foundation, Millicent Rogers, Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, Nelson-Atkins Museum, and some high-end retailers for example show early necklaces with four. For your viewing pleasure:
MIAC 1900-1920 4 petal
Millicent Rogers Collection 1900 4 petal
Nelson-Atkins Museum, Slender Maker 1885 4 petals
Eskiesose, prior to 1937. 4 petals
Shiprock, 1880-1900 4 petal
Barnes Foundation, 1915 4 petals
PS your box bow necklace is gorgeous!
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Interesting conversation about the number of petals on a squash blossom. I have only 1 SB necklace and it was gifted to me by my late MIL. She got it between 1970-'74 when living in CO. The blossoms have only 3 petals. Now, I’m gonna be on a mission to look at these necklaces & count petals 
. BTW, I prefer the 4 petals ~ it’s just more aesthetically pleasing to me.
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My squash blossoms have 3 petals as well.
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Oh my gosh, @chicfarmer, thanks for all the references. I was once told that 4 petal are typically an older form, and the ones I have with 4 petals are older, but I’d love to get some historical documentation.
I’m going to spend some time with all the links you sent, interesting stuff!
And that first squash, from the MIAC Collection, is breathtaking! Such lovely patina! It is the epidomy of or what exceptional squash blossom should be. Some day I’ll find a nice early one…you are fortunate to have one!
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I’ve wondered the same thing @Ziacat…I don’t have a clue as to the turquoise or why the one cab is darker and cracked. Weird that it’s the only one. I purchased it from an acquaintance who inherited a few pieces from her grandmother, so she didn’t know anything about it. But who knows, the prior owner may have had one cab replaced?
Actually the color in the photo is off…it’s not quite that dark and doesn’t stand out as much from the other cabs. This is a little more true color:
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