Item #757E- Vintage Early 1900's Navajo Collector's Tourist Chalcedony Whirling Logs Stamped Harvey Era Brooch/Pin
Item #757E- Vintage Early 1900's Navajo Collector's Tourist Chalcedony Whirling Logs Stamped Harvey Era Brooch/Pin
Nice example of early 1900's Navajo - "Harvey Era" tourist trade Indian jewelry. Made with silver plated copper or brass along with what appears to be a Swarovski diamond cut chalcedony stone. I first thought it was plastic, but couldn't shave it with my knife. The Navajo silversmith added stampwork of whirling logs, opposite pointing arrows, sunrise and full moon. All applied to a dome shaped concho with scallop edging. The silversmith finishes by attaching a long pin on back with handmade copper/brass "C" clasp. This is typical to the late 1890's - early 1900's Harvey Era jewelry Fred Harvey had created to stock his restaurants, hotels, and stores along the train routes to the west coast. Later on he expanded his empire to cover tourist areas such as Santa Fe and The Grand Canyon. He, or should I say his employees would hire native silversmiths to make both expensive and inexpensive jewelry for the tourist trade that passed through on their way to California. They would supply the silversmiths with raw material. To make a less expensive piece he supplied lower cost semi precious stones or even plastic beads to resemble turquoise. This brooch is a perfect example of that time.
The tourist brooch measures approximately 1 1/2" by 2" across and weighs 11.5 grams. Silver plated copper which most of the silver has worn off the face. I'm guessing a previous owner used a harsh liquid cleaner since it was most likely black with tarnish. I dated it as 1910's-20's, but it could be pre-1900's based on the stone used. $149.95