Necklace after 1920

This necklace was made by a Navajo (Diné) artist; we don’t know exactly when, but we can see the extraordinary care and attention that went into its making. The components of the necklace are repeated, but it is far from mechanical, with subtle differences and variations occurring across the work. I love the slightly tarnished quality of the silver. This gives the necklace a sense of history and a tactile quality. Each of the small silver beads has a slightly different shape, catching the light in its own way. Similarly, the turquoise stones are each a slightly different shade of pale blue, like little pools of water. Look at the way the small silver ‘squashes’ are attached to the necklace, like buds or droplets. It makes me think of other artists who worked with found materials, like Kurt Schwitters, or the accumulations of Louise Nevelson. But this piece also speaks to the beauty and skill of Navajo craftsmanship. Each element is carefully placed, but there is also a sense of playfulness and spontaneity that I really appreciate. Art is a conversation across time, with makers building on the ideas of those who came before them.