Any Ideas on this Unusual Sterling "Native American"? Brooch | ||
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Posted 3 years ago
LOUMANAL
(436 items)
I'm trying to find out if this Brooch/Pendant is indeed Native American or from South America. I would also like to know which Silversmith used the three mountain mark shown? It is heavy and measures 1 3/4" in diameter. Thanks everyone. RER
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Looks Hopi or Navajo - eagle feather design. Not sure what the central design is, but i'm sure that CanyonRd will know.
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This looks like a Hopi design generally known as 'sun face'. If you search on 'Hopi sun face sterling' you'll find many other examples that include both the central face and the chrysanthemum-like rays around it.
Here's more information on the sun-face symbol, known as 'tawa':
https://symbolikon.com/downloads/tawa-hopi/
I've no idea who did yours or whose that mark is, but if you're looking around for clues... Many other silversmiths terminate the sun's rays with points or spatulate forms, but this artist chose to terminate them with a sharp edge on one side and a rounded one on the other -- to give it a sense of movement, I suspect. It's really unusual! So, stylistically speaking, that may help you narrow down the candidates.
P.S. I also looked through these hallmarks but didn't find your 3-mountain hallmark unfortunately:
https://www.medicinemangallery.com/native-american-art/indian-jewelry/identify-native-american-indian-jewelry-hallmarks/pictorial-hallmarks
https://www.medicinemangallery.com/native-american-art/indian-jewelry/identify-native-american-indian-jewelry-hallmarks/shop-guild-hallmarks
P.P.S. I did come across this blog entry about a hallmark that's a little similar to yours, but I think it's not close enough to be the same individual. I think...
https://nativeamericanjewelrytips.wordpress.com/2014/07/27/little-info-in-canada-on-hopi-hallmarks-can-you-help/
But, it led me to this listing. I'm not convinced it's the same symbol (yours looks like a stylized three mountains, this is a pointed thunderbolt) but here it is just in case I'm wrong:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/464459835/native-american-mcbride-lomayestewa?show_sold_out_detail=1&ref=nla_listing_details
Further to my "P.P.S."...
I found a better shot of the lightning-bolt hallmark of McBride Lomayestuwa. Look at the hallmark on the second and third photos on this listing:
https://shop.longbranch-co.jp/eshopdo/phone/vidEBY410002.html
I'm doubtful it's the same as yours, but it's the closest thing I could find.
Good luck in identifying the creator of your very attractive piece!