Navajo Silver, Spondylus Shell & Turquoise Flask

Native American, Southwestern United States, Navajo. A fine flask or snuff jar built around a natural spondylus shell. Its scalloped valves form the flask body in a coral orange flecked with the shell's own dark pitting. The two halves are held together by a sterling silver frame. Its border is stamped with repeating arc motifs, edged in twisted rope wire, and rises into a cylindrical nozzle spout punched with rayed and dotted devices. A small cap closes the spout and is tied to the frame by a fine link chain, so the lid cannot wander off between pinches. Faceted turquoise overlays, fitted together like a mosaic at the hinge of the shell, set cool blue-green against the warm orange. Spondylus, the thorny oyster, was among the most prized trade materials in the indigenous Americas. Its orange, red, and purple shell travelled far inland from warm coastal waters. In Southwestern jewelry it is often paired with turquoise, and the contrast of orange against blue-green has become one of the region's best-known color combinations. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. Item # 206073

Estimate:£300.61

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