Material: Sterling Silver (top cones), Turquoise, Penn Shell
Dimensions: 28" long. Widest Turquoise Nugget could be up to 1-1/4" wide.
Weight (in grams): 206.2
Hallmark/Signature: N/A
This piece was acquired from a second-hand collection (i.e.-estate sale), who collected Native American Jewelry and art in the 1980-1990's.
This piece is an old pawn piece. The term Old Pawn (aka Dead Pawn) originated from the turn of the last century, as Navajo's (as well as other tribes) would pawn personal items in trade for supplies. These personal items were very-well made pieces that often would go unclaimed (as pawn is a loan with interest added), which then would be called Dead Pawn. In today's world, the term Old Pawn is abused by many who call anything old or old-looking, Old Pawn.
The Old Pawn jewelry that I sell is truly a Pawn piece that has gone unclaimed and was acquired from various Pawn dealers that I have forged relationships with over the last 25 years.
