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- Location
- Buffalo, NY
Four tufa cast najas strung as the focal point of four necklaces. The one at the top is the oldest, strung with Pueblo bench beads and dragonfly crosses... it is Pueblo or Navajo in origin, likely first or second decade of the 20th century. The one on the right is the only one with a hallmark, which permits a meaningful date as the Indian Arts and Craft's Board "U.S. Navajo" program lasted only five years from 1937-1942. U.S. Navajo 70 was associated with the Navajo Arts and Crafts Guild. Ambrose Roanhorse made the stamps and marked all the pieces approved under this program... as principal instructor at the Guild he may well have made this piece too. I believe it is sterling silver. The other two najas are attached to squash blossom necklaces c.1930-1950.