NATIVE AMERICAN NAVAJO STERLING SILVER & TURQUOISE KEY RING BY SHIRLEY SKEETS

Description Navajo silversmith, Shirley Skeets made this stellar key ring.  Sterling silver with a great hand stamped design . Has a nickle clasp for stronger grip and durability.  Weighs 10 grams.   1” wide x 2  3/8” long   Artist card included   The Navajos began working with silver in the 19th century, and began making things like buckles, bridles, buttons, rings, canteens, hollow beads, earrings, crescent-shaped pendants (called “najas”), bracelets, crosses, powder chargers, tobacco canteens, and conchos (for belts).  Their silversmithing skills has evolved and changed throughout the years, and in about 1880 Navajo silversmiths started to set turquoise in their silver work.  Traditionally, Navajo artists worked with jewelry techniques like repousee and stamp work, but today they explored in other Native American jewelry making techniques like Zuni inlay work and Hopi overlay work.