Turquoise Celebrities

Thanks Steve. I’ve seen that photo before, but hesitated posting it because his concho reminds me of these mass produced slotted saddle conchos at Tandy Leather.

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I see what you mean. I’m going to lean towards smaller cuts in the metal vs the larger Tandy openings. Just a guess.

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@TAH Sooo, I took it as a 'lil challenge to find a photo of either Newman or Bronson wearing anything NA/Southwestern. Welll, I went down one heck of a huge rabbit hole, and came up empty-handed, lol. I’m not complaining, though.
Boy Howdy, those were some hunky photos! :face_with_hand_over_mouth::sunglasses:

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We must have gone down different rabbit holes, Patina, because I didn’t see any “hunky” photos. :laughing:

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TAH, Do not Native Americans use trade beads when they make their jewelery? They have for centuries. I have the list of items brought to America by my 7 x great quaker grandfather back in 1683The list included hundreds of fish hooks, three hundred “Jew’s harps” , And several kegs of trade beads. So, if a Native American assembles the beads, they therefor become authentic Native American jewelry, same as if a Native American melts down silver coins to produce jewelry, right? I have been to rendezvous where NA are there selling numerous items. I don’t think they probably even personally collected the buffalo teeth nor the badger claws used in their necklaces. I know I have personally sold many a turkey feather to a friend whose market for them is NA’s who need them for making of war bonnets to wear at pow wows. I don’t know about the southwestern NA but the Great Plains Lakota use snuff box lids to make the bells on the women’s dresses they wear to pow wows. If you look closely, you will see the imprint of Skoal and Copenhagen on them. LOL

Chris Stapleton


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Jason May

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As this subject is entirely up for interpretation, it is indeed a bit touchy. I’d like to say that my response is not intended as argumentative nor do I intend on disrespecting anyone. I’d simply like to share my thoughts.

It sounds like you’ve got some neat family history records. I would be interested to know about your interests in Native jewelry and if you would happen to be a collector yourself? It’s always neat to see other’s pieces and share in this passion.

They certainly do, and have, as you point out, for a very long time. However, so have an innumerable amount of people from a vast amount of varying cultures.

Personally, I feel that @TAH’s point is that there is no way to tell, without the piece in hand to gauge it as a whole, consider it’s age, inspect the construction, etc., to be confident that the piece is Native made. As it is too easily reproduced by those either uninterested in the cultural aspect, and/or simply desiring a quick and easy dollar, it’s a slippery slope. I feel that beaded and sewn adornment of the Plains and Woodland Natives, in particular, can be tough to judge, especially with nothing more than less than ideal photographs to work with.

The same can easily be said for silver and turquoise jewelry as well, no doubt. However, the well known, longtime celebrities that have an interest in Southwest, Native crafted jewelry that (I feel) this thread was intended to showcase, rely on galleries and dealers of the utmost repute for their acquisitions. Taking this into account, it’s a relatively safe bet that they won’t adorn themselves with cheap, imitation jewelry. In the not-too-distant past, I had an enjoyable conversation with Mark Blackburn, the proprietor of Art Blackburn. He is one of the most highly regarded, and deeply respected dealers and collectors of Native American, Pre-Columbian, Polynesian and Oceanic art and jewelry. We were discussing a piece in his collection, and he mentioned that Sheryl Crow was going to meet him at a show later that week to get her hands on it, as she had shown considerable interest. I only mention that as it is an example of my afformentioned comment. Mark has adorned the bodies, and decorated the homes of, some of the great personalities of both Hollywood and the music industry.

I feel duty bound to reiterate @TAH’s intended purpose of, and spirit behind, this wonderful thread. The conscious notion behind “Turquoise Celebrities” is to act as a stage where we can share and showcase well known or longtime celebrities that are adorned with Native American jewelry. Particularly Navajo and Pueblo silver and turquoise, as those are the main focuses of this forum.

It is my wish that these thoughts of mine serve as a well received suggestion that those of us that wish to contribute to “Turquoise Celebrities” get the thread back on trail. A tough trail it will certainly be, as so many perfect examples have already been shared, but I’ve no doubt that there are some hidden gems of photos just waiting to be brought to light. :slightly_smiling_face:

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I second everything @Ravenscry said above. It is impossible to say whether a piece using vintage trade goods, or commercially available modern materials, is made by a Native American maker, without clear provenance, hallmarks, or other indicators of origin. There are many, many fakers, charlatans, forgers, and non-indigenous craft makers whose work is mistaken for “the real deal.”

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I agree, Aaron. Seeing celebrities wearing Native American jewelry is fun and all, but the real joy of this forum is being able to see, discuss, and ask questions about pieces that members own. Now, if we could just get some of these celebrities to become participating members, we could kill two birds with one stone. @robertredford :laughing:

Quick story - a few years ago, I was an active member on a Weatherby rifle forum and actor Jameson Parker, of Simon & Simon fame, was a regular, participating member. Nice guy, huge Weatherby fan, and an avid big game hunter. So, it’s possible. :slightly_smiling_face:

Who knows, maybe Sheryl Crow will show up and say if she ever got her hands on that Blackburn piece…that is, if it didn’t already fall prey into the talons of @Ravenscry. :wink:

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:rofl::rofl:“Mr. Costner, you can’t fool us, we’d very much enjoy seeing and discussing the fine examples of Native crafted jewelry that you have tucked away, when you find it amicable.” :wink:

This was neat to read, Tom!

:zipper_mouth_face:

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Laura and Bruce Dern

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The Vaughan brothers

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Marlo Thomas (87 years old!)

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Dean Stockwell

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Christie Brinkley …
I grabbed these screenshots from a video. I can see the jewelry much better in the video, and the one ring looks like a big piece of Bisbee to me.

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Tsailii Rogers, whose credits include Roswell, Prison Break, and Longmire.

@Ravenscry Interesting and unusual belt below…

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It certainly is, definitley a different take on the form! I’d be very interested to see it layed out and would love to check out what appears to be incredible repoussé(?)/stampwork(?) of portraits on the conchos. @mmrogers, your thoughts on construction or process(es)?

I really like the belts she’s donning in the first two photos. :+1::+1:

Thanks for sharing these, Tom.

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Beautifully made jewelry, with both native and European cultural influences.

From here, portraits look like combination of chased work, and engraving techniques, possibly as overlay appliquéd onto the concho surface and visually blended with bevel work and antiquing.

I’m with you and Tom here. Would love to see closeups of the work.

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I know Val Kilmer has been posted numerous times, but I just came across this great photo of him in his younger, healthier days on the set of Kill Me Again, 1989.

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