Lapis Lazuli Sterling Silver Ring. Estimated more than 50 yrs old. The Navajos are a Native American people of the Southwestern United States. After the Cherokee, they are the second largest federally recognized tribe in the United States. Until contact with Pueblos and the Spanish, the Navajos were largely hunters and gatherers. The tribe adopted crop farming techniques from the Pueblo peoples. The practice of spinning and weaving wool into blankets and clothing became common and eventually developed into a form of highly valued artistic expression. Silversmithing is an important art form among Navajos. Atsidi Sani c. 1830–c. 1918 is considered to be the first Navajo silversmith. He learned silversmithing from a Mexican man called Nakai Tsosi "Thin Mexican" around 1878 and began teaching other Navajos how to work with silver. By 1880, Navajo silversmiths were creating handmade jewelry including bracelets, tobacco flasks, necklaces and bracers. Later, they added silver earrings, buckles, bolos, hair ornaments, pins and squash blossom necklaces for tribal use, and to sell to tourists as a way to supplement their income. The Navajos' hallmark jewelry piece called the "squash blossom" necklace first appeared in the 1880s. Turquoise has been part of jewelry for centuries, but Navajo artists did not use inlay techniques to insert turquoise into silver designs until the late 19th century. (Wikipedia) Size and weight is provided in the last photo of this lot if not written within the lot description. All photos represent the lot condition and may contain unseen imperfections in addition to the information provided. All items are described to the best of our abilities. Please communicate all questions and concerns prior to bidding. Please read our terms and conditions for more details. Good luck bidding.

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