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Posted 8 years ago
iiaannnnaaii
(3 items)
As seen on reverse this is a Bennett C-31 pat. Pend. sterling silver bolo tie. Turquoise and coral framed and mounted in silver. Nice crisp lines. Signed on the back.
Can anyone tell me anything more about this piece?
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Google Bennett bolo tie C-31.
@ Efesgirl, I have already been looking online as you suggest, wondering if someone recognizes the signature or had better idea of how to contextuallize the piece.
An explanation:
http://bolotiebook.com/helpus.html
Dates between 1950 and 1960, when Bennett C-31 pat. Pend. was used on silver items.
Thanks, Efesgirl. Again, I appreciate your taking the time to comment, however, I had already found the link you posted above and also had read up on the Bennett C-31 stamp from a number of different sources. I am hoping to learn from someone with a deeper expertise than what we have both readily found available online. Might someone have more specific insight into this piece in particular, i.e. what tribe this style may have come from? If anyone recognizes the signature of the maker from other pieces or if the maker could in fact be individually identified? Of what the significance is in the design of this piece, including the choice of materials, and if there is something specific being represented here?
I wasn't to know that because you didn't mention any of it.
There simply is no other information available. Bennett's mark has nothing to do with the silversmith who produced the item. Normally, this style of jewelry is attributed to Navajo silversmiths. Having said that, an unmarked piece cannot be attributed to any one tribe. Unsigned pieces are most likely Indian made but by law cannot be listed as such since their exact origin cannot be proven.
This particular piece is not shown anywhere online.
I think you are over-analyzing this piece of jewelry. :-))))
It is in the shadowbox style. Navajo. Signatures were not normally scratched into pieces. Could be previous owner initials. You can always contact a Navajo tribe for any possible interpretation of symbols. Many times, they were personal.
Here is probably the best resource for signatures:
http://www.art-amerindien.com/signature_hallmarks_southwest_gl.htm#k
This one has great links.
http://www.indianvillage.com/links.htm
Info on Shadowbox Jewelry.
https://nativeamericanjewelrytips.wordpress.com/tag/shadowbox/
From^^ website:
"The cutout design on the top can vary from paw prints to kokopelli to blanket designs – limited only by the designer’s imagination."
She is really good about answering questions it seems.
I just posted a turquoise bracelet that is not signed but explains why. This is a very nice piece and was probably made for a family member, that's why it is unsigned, unstamped.
Thank you very much Celiene and shareurpassion, that is very helpful!
You're very welcome! There's a lot to learn from here, stick around!